Christmas 2006

If you remember what Andy and I did last year for our Christmas, you can probably figure out how we celebrated together this year. It was party time :) We had cupcakes, bbq pork sandwiches, chips, and dip...oh, and york peppermint patties to end it all. Andy had wrapped several packages for me...in his own special wrapping style. I got a vacuum cleaner, scrapbooking supplies, boxes to organize my stuff, houseshoes, candy, and some handheld games for the car. Andy got a satellite radio and subscription, compact camera, sunglasses, and some candy. It was fun and exciting. We loved our meal, reading the Christmas story together, and just celebrating with our own party.

Our party was Friday night. We left Saturday morning for Anderson to visit with our families. It was great to have some time with them, and it was really wonderful to see Carey and Chris this year. We were sad to leave early Tuesday morning, and Andy went to work yesterday.

It was a good Christmas, I suppose. I just wish we had more time to just hang out with the families...and not have to worry about working for a while. Wouldn't it be nice if we all had two weeks of Christmas vacation?

Our Second Christmas Tree :)

celebrations

I've been thinking all this season that it just hasn't felt like Christmas. I'm not really sure what makes it feel like Christmas, but I think that there's usually that "holiday spirit" that everyone talks about that surrounds you. We have a Christmas tree with packages under it, stockings hung on the mantel, and Christmas cards decorating the living room. Andy and I even watched most of "It's a Wonderful Life" -acutally my first time to view the movie. Tonight Andy and I are going to have our "party". It was a thing that we kind of started last year, and since it was fun we decided to continue it. Tomorrow we leave for Anderson to see the family. Carey and Chris have started traveling, and we're excited to see them. We won't be able to see Jon and Kristine this Christmas, but hopefully next year things will work out. I'm excited for my short reprieve from work...I actually looked into to getting my masters degree at USI, but I'm not sure how that will work out. There's another whole year that's just waiting to be lived out to the fullest...and who knows what kind of adventures it will bring. For all the people who were wished the "joy of Jesus" in a Christmas card (and for those who weren't, too) I hope that's something that you find this year. I hope that His joy fills your heart and you are in awe of what a magnificent gift He has given...
much love, and Merry Christmas :)
amanda

Just thinking...

Well, I suppose that I mostly just wanted to type something and update what's been going on in my life for those who care. I've got just over an hour until I need to leave for work. Tonight I'm working on the eastside of town at the new hospital. I have this feeling that it's going to be crazy. Eugh...

Anyway, Andy and I had a fairly good weekend last week. Fun with the breakfast pizza (the oven is now cleaner than it's been in a long time), I went to the Joann Superstore (LOTS OF FUN!!!), and I think we ate out Saturday night. Sunday school remains crazy. Monday I worked and it was an insane night....the patients are so sick. There was awana last night, which went really well. In the meantime I've been making Christmas cards to send, cutting out fabric to make stockings, and getting excited anytime I receive a Christmas card in the mail.

Mom, Dad, and Timothy are driving right now to Little Rock to visit Jonathan and Kristine and then the rest of the Arkansas bunch. I'm a little sad to be missing out, but I really hope that they have a great time visiting everyone. I'm not sure yet whether Andy and I will be able to go to Arkansas to visit this season. It might just have to wait until later.

Oh, and Andy's car is in the shop...getting a facelift, I think :) So, this is fun trying to get everywhere with one car. Someone from the station came and picked him up today. Life is exciting, if nothing else. :)

just an update

Well, it's early in the morning and I'm awake. I worked last evening for the first time in 10 days...maybe I should have done some exercises or warm-ups before I started. My arms are really achy. Of course, maybe the weather is just causing my bones to ache...they have a tendancy to do that, too. Andy and I were able to take a few days of vacation and go to Anderson. We saw both sets of parents several times while we were there. We stayed Friday - Tuesday, which is longer than we usually have with family. The trip wasn't quite as rushed as most Anderson visits are, but still we were sad to leave. Maybe we need like a month or something :)

On Wednesday (after we got back home) Andy took part in my normal routine of picking up the girls. Krissy was sick, so we only had Lauren to get and bring home with us. Andy did a great job of being the "new mom" and driving through the school traffic. Lauren was happy to see us. We got something to eat, and then we headed to the boy scouts tree sale to find our Christmas tree. Lauren was excited to help us locate the best tree...in the end, I think we got a wonderful tree. (normally I would post a picture of it here, but we haven't taken one yet, and I'm not sure where the camera is.) The tree is of course, lovely.

Oh, and I was able to go Thursday night and see Lauren's school Christmas play. It was really funny, and I was happy that I could go. So, now for a fun-filled weekend. I'm not totally sure of what we're going to do yet, but I'm hoping for a great adventure :)

Long Weekend & Lovely Days

So, it seems like I've had a really long weekend...and that's mostly because it is true. Andy had to work on Friday, but then we had our weekly date to IHOP when he got home. Saturday was spent driving to Bloomfield again for the baby shower, back to Evansville, some shopping, eating, and planning for Sunday school. Today we of course taught Sunday school, and we were able to use a really great book that Andy's mom and dad found. The kids were insane today -must have been something with the barometric pressure- but they really enjoyed the activity. I think that Andy and I are both glad to have a break from it next weekend. We are hoping to come back more excited and more energized to teach these crazy, wonderful kids. It's also great that after this lovely long weekend, we have another break coming soon. This weekend we will head to Anderson. Andy will be working with the seminary to create a promotional video. When we come back I think the plan is to find a Christmas tree, decorate, and be happy. The weather has been wonderful here...really great. Andy took me this afternoon to see some historic buildings on the campus of USI. My curiousity about the buildings got to me, and we spent nearly two hours in the USI library reading about "old" Evansville. It was fun, and really just a great end to the weekend. Now, we just have to get through the next four days ;)

Happy Thanksgiving

Well, Andy and I journeyed to Bloomfield to meet his family at Dinah's house. There were several people there, and I think that I knew everyone. People were being happy, eating lots of food, and just enjoying being with each other. When we left I tested my memory and attempted to navigate Andy towards Kristine and Jonathan. They were staying with her parents at the "new house". I'd followed Jonathan there once, so I wasn't sure that I'd quite remember. I got close, but not quite there...a little navigational help from Kristine's mom got us there quickly. We gave hugs, and I'm planning to return again on Saturday...lots of driving (or riding, whatever the case may be.) The weather was really wonderful today, and it was great just to have more time to spend with my lovely husband :)

The end of a very lovely weekend...and week

Well, it's Monday again. Andy and I had a wonderful week last week...I can't think of anything special that we did during the week, but it was fun. I finally removed my cardboard "coffee table" from the computer room...so, I suppose that things are looking more like a real house now. I only have to go to the hospital four more times before Thanksgiving, which is also kind of exciting. This past Saturday was the first in many months that Andy and I didn't have anything we were obligated to do. So, in order to take advantage of it, we made it a "date day". We (mostly he) slept in while I read a book. Then, we headed to the Slice for some really yummy pizza. I love that place because it's not traditional pizza...and it's just good. Then, we followed the GPS towards Owensboro, Kentucky in search of some geocaches. We successfully located one way out in the middle of no where. We attempted another, but it had gotten too dark to really see. So, we headed to the LifeWay bookstore, and finally ended our evening with some ice cream from Dairy Queen. We got home, and Andy endured watching Princess Diaries II with me, we planned for Sunday School, and we had a blissful night's sleep.
Yesterday went fairly well, too. It was fun to just have the weekend to hang out. Then, today we had to separate again. I'm not sure yet if the awful part is not seeing Andy for a couple of days, or if it's working at the hospital. Maybe all these years I've been fooling myself into thinking I'm a night person, when really I'm a day person. :)

Holidays, Love, or both...

Well, the one thing that I do know is that life doesn't really slow down even if you want it to. I also know that the Woodrings and Justisons grew up loving their families. I thought maybe it was just me for a while, but I'd like to bring to your attention some other postings I've run across recently.

Jonathan- "I just miss the place where I grew up as a teenager." Nov, 2006

Kristine (via Jon) -"[i'm] homesick." Nov, 2006

Timothy - "it was good to have Mandy home. I miss laughing with her, and having all those good times..." Nov, 2006

Carey - "We love Austin, but we miss our families and our friends so much." Oct, 2006

Me- "I really miss my brothers and my parents too..." Oct, 2006

Man, life really changes things. God is growing each of us in so many directions, but this must be that "pruning" time that everyone talks about because it's painful. I'm not really sure if it's just the holidays that are making us all talk about missing our families, but I tend to believe that we all really do miss our families all the time and that we just love each other a lot. I don't feel so sad about it all right now, something happened within the last week that's made me okay with it...(and it wasn't just the trip home). I really think that God is working in each of our lives, but it's kind of nice to know we're not the only ones struggling and that our families are praying right along side us.

Finding Home

I arrived back in Anderson to have a little visit with the family :) Andy has exciting things to do this weekend -which don't include me (although, I know it's hard to believe things are exciting without me.) But this offered the perfect opportunity to drive "home". It's funny, when I was talking to Timothy earlier I called Evansville home. But I guess a part of you always stays where your parents are and you think about "going home"...the place where you were before you went out on your own. I wonder, do you ever stop thinking of it as home? Anyway, I'm going to miss Andy, but it's nice to get away from the routine of things. I think it's going to be a fun weekend, and it's good to see the family again :)

just thinking...

I've just typed a big posting...looked at it and decided "no, that's not quite it". So, this is just another try at processing my thinking.
Most of you know that I'm really struggling with my job. I've been thinking about it, and I'm not quite sure if it's the actual job or just the fact that I work nights that's getting to me. I'm only really sad whenever I have to work a nightshift...I don't get to see Andy and I feel like I've wasted away beautiful days. So, maybe I need to work a different shift or find a day job, or something. I still feel kind of lonely...friendless and that's sad too. It doesn't really help to not have good girlfriends close by. I really miss that about college. Growing up stinks. I really miss my brothers and my parents too...but I guess this is what my mom's had to do her whole life. She still cries sometimes when we visit her family and have to leave. Maybe I just come from an emotional family. Either way I'm in this rut of saddness that I've been in for at least 2 years and I feel like it's just a vicious cycle that I can't free myself from. I don't know what to do to help myself because I'm not even sure of the problem. All this to say, I need to fix it. But, in the mean time I really feel that Satan is using it to attack me. If I'm so focused on how discouraged or sad I am, I don't have a lot of time to worry about other people. This really just occurred to me a few minutes ago when I was at the piano. I was playing "Before the Throne of God".
I love that song...and it used to be because the thought of God having my name written on His heart was so...wonderful and awesome that it brought tears to my eyes to think of how vast God's love is for me. But, today as I played I thought about the second verse...which says, "when Satan tempts me to despair...". Despair. That's exactly what I feel...like a never ending cycle of despair. Like the little moments of happiness are never going to last.
I know finding peace with where you are and what you're doing....and discovering that JOY that God gives. Not a joy of our own, but the Bible says He will give us His joy. All of that is a journey...a process of discovery. In essence, spiritual growth. It's hard to remember that when you feel so sad. But, to think that the despair is a tool of Satan (one of the many) is almost a happy thought, because then it's not all about you. It's about this whole spiritual warfare that we're involved in. This intangible war that we are a part of, yet we forget that we're even fighting. Somehow thinking that the despair is an attack of Satan makes me think, "oh, well then I will win!"...because God is so much stronger than me. It's not something I have to fight and win...God is already working and if I let Him, He'll give me His joy.
It doesn't really fix the problem of being lonely, hating my job, or missing my family. It does give me a little strength to go on though and keep fighting and push past this despair. I really think that once I get through this, God will show me why I had to endure it and it will be another one of those times I can look back at and say..."that's when I really grew".

The weekend

On Saturday Andy and I were at a small wedding on the county line. He was asked to be the photographer. He knew the couple from work, so he was happy to help. I'm really excited about using this as practice for our future, and in the meantime these various "experimental couples" are getting pretty good pictures of their wedding day. I think it's a good deal. Also, it's neat to see all the different ways that weddings take place...the different things that each couple does to make it "their" day. These are a few of my favorite pictures he took. We are traveling again this weekend for a wedding in Louisville. Andy's taking the camera, but he's not the photographer this time :)

Also, Jonathan called to tell me that I will have a niece to love. So, we're praying that Hana Niah will be healthy...and I'm pretty sure she'll be happy living with Jon and Kris. Timothy and I are certain that she's going to love us lots...so, we're getting really excited for her arrival :)

cool

Well, this week (for the first time in a while) I worked two twelve hour shifts in a row. I did that on Monday and Tuesday...and it wasn't too bad. I really love being done for the rest of the week and not having to think or worry about going to back for a while. It is kind of rough for the beginning of the week...so, really I think it's "six one way, half-a-dozen the other".

But, while I was working it became quite cool. Yesterday when I went to pick up the girls, it was cool and windy outside. This morning I was all wrapped in a blanket and sleeping quite well, but the house was cold. The thermostat said it's 60° inside, and I think it was around 50° outside. Tonight we are under a freeze advisory with the prospective low temp for tonight being below freezing. I'm not sure that I'm ready for all this cold weather yet, but I am looking forward to the holiday things. Just being cold and wrapped up in a blanket watching movies or making stuff makes me feel all warm and cozy on the inside...

now, for a large warm cup of
hot chocolate

endings and beginnings

Saturday, October 7, 2006 ended my lifelong claim of having never attending the Fall Festival in Evansville. It is (supposedly) the second largest street festival in the United States, ranking second only to Mardi Gras. It was...interesting. I'm now working on a plan to somehow get my future children to not want to go. It was an okay thing, but nothing really spectacular except the enormous amounts of fried food and the incredibly large number of people all around you. Natives of Evansville think it's the greatest thing ever though, I think. It's a topic of conversation year-round.

Anyway, Saturday we went to "crash" a yard sale. It was funny (actually, quite hilarious) to see Lisa ranting about all the stuff that Roger had brought to place in the sale. Her commentaries were worth the trip. I think that everyone was satisfied in the end with the amount of money they made. Saturday evening Andy was supposed to take engagement photos for a couple he knows. They couldn't meet until 6:30 p.m., so we were cutting it close with the sunlight. The couple was late showing up both because they got lost and because traffic was horrid due to the Festival in town. By the time they got there it was really too dark to take good pictures. While Andy and I were waiting for them to show up we decided we would take "senior pictures" and we tried a few poses. It was fun...and funny. So, I thought I'd share our new "senior photos" although, it was probably quite a bit more funny to be there. Sometimes it's hard to convey the silliness of the moment merely through pictures.

Actively Engaged in Life (i.e. staying busy)

So, Andy and I had Friday off and we slowly gathered our things, baked a pie, and headed on our way to St. Louis. We planned to stay there Friday night, drive with the parents to the reunion Saturday and head back to Evansville Saturday night...hopefully to arrive home around midnight. We ended up getting to St. Louis later than I had hoped...I'm beginning to think that I'm a "high-strung" individual, and that's something I'd really like to change. I enjoy the more laid back feeling...but I'm not sure that's something you can create and cultivate in yourself. Anyway, after some minor setbacks we stayed with the other set of Justisons at Barb's house. It was fun to talk and see each other again. Saturday morning we woke up, got our stuff together, baked a potato casserole, and headed on our way to the reunion. I think it's about a 2 1/2 hour drive from St. Louis. We arrived just around noon at the reunion (*just in time to eat*) and were greeted with smiles and the aroma of wonderful food...I only recognized a few of the people, but I've seen most of them four or five times. I ate, and it was good. Then, a few of the men grabbed their guitars and started playing a long medly of bluegrass hymns...I stayed for a while, but then I went and walked with Debbie to the creek to watch the kids play. I think we left around 5 or 6 to head back to St. Louis. Andy and I stayed and talked with his parents for another couple of hours before leaving and we actually did make it to Evansville just around midnight :) goal accomplished. In the mean time I'm teaching AWANA on Wednesday, watching a couple of girls after school on Wednesdays, co-teaching Sunday school with Andy, watching Andy work on the website, working a couple days a week at the hospital, and trying to keep up with my discipleship. Tonight I'm going to an At Home party that I was invited to. I've never been to one of those before, but it should be fun. I at least get to be with people :) I'm not as busy as Carey is, but I think this is a good pace for me right now...

a rainy, lazy day

Well, we'd had plans for today...to spend time at a cookout with the Terry's and their basketball team at the coach's house. But, we have had tons of rain...yes, some of our basement is wet, but not like lots of people around here. It's good we have that waterproofing...if it only would actually keep out all the water. Anyway, so it rained a lot on Friday and then Saturday too, so we had no cookout. Andy and I were lazy and just laid around and laughed at each other. We finally ventured out and got food from Chic-a-filet. We used two coupons, which is kind of exciting but probably no record. Anyway, we headed back home and worked on getting some pictures printed for Herb & Vicki (the wedding couple from last Saturday). In the meantime we've been playing the piano and laughing at each other some more. Because of all this laughter and insane amount of time inside the house, we've added a few things to the "quote wall" which is actually just a file saved on the computer that we add to every now and again. So, with that...I give you today's quotes:
"The internet's great 'cause you can go anywhere in the world in your pajamas." - amanda 9/23/06
"You'll blow your cartridges out of the water!" - amanda 9/23/06
"I'm pretty sure if it's less than $15, you can save money for the rest of your life" - amanda 9/23/06
"I'm only 24. I can't know about everything yet." -amanda 9/23/06
"It could be the bestest day in your entire life and you're already ruling it out." -andy 9/23/06

p.s. I'd like to add that even though I have more quotes today, Andy has more for the entire total of the "quote wall" which are all quite hilarious. Maybe someday I'll share those. :)

looking good...keeping busy :)

This past Saturday Andy was requested to take pictures at a co-workers wedding. He said "yes" and our thoughts drifted to images of ourselves -retired and having a photo studio. I could plan and organize our schedules and Andy would take the pictures. Anyway, this was a full mass catholic wedding...a different experience for me. But, it was a fun day to spend with my husband. And, speaking of my husband...he looked good :) We purchased him a new black suit, learned to tie a tie, and got a new pair of shoes to top off the whole thing. Anyway, it was the beginning of our busy and filled weekends. This coming weekend we're attending the Terry's basketball cookout at the coaches house, and then the Rowden Reunion the weekend after that. I know there's two more weddings to attend in October, and the missions conference at church is at the end of the month as well. In the mean time we're keeping busy with the church website, teaching and planning for Sunday school, my discipleship...I think I start teaching soon, leading AWANA, and tonight is Ladies night out. In our spare time we work, sleep, and eat....and miss being together. But, it's fun (this whole living thing) and we love each other lots :)

Herb & Vicki Thompson

September 16, 2006

What is a Nurse...and why am I one of them

Okay, so I spent four years of my life "becoming" a nurse -a registered nurse. I passed all my classes, made it into Sigma Theta Tau, and lived through what I thought would be some of the most stressful days of my life. And maybe they were. I think time has a way of making us forget what we thought we'd always remember. Anyway, I survived the four years of torture and I went on to pass the NCLEX -the national test that "proves" you know enough to get a license...and then you start to actually learn.
Webster defines a nurse as: "a person who cares for the sick or infirm; specifically : a licensed health-care professional who practices independently or is supervised by a physician, surgeon, or dentist and who is skilled in promoting and maintaining health"
Another source defines a nurse as: "a person trained for care of sick or injured."

These definitions are accurate enough, and I'm sure that if I'd lived during the Crimean War I wouldn't have kept up with Flo. But, I really hate going to my job. I have eight patients that at least six would be classified as ICU patients at smaller facilities...the point isn't that we're a bigger facility...the point is that I have to take care of more people that I can actually care for adequately. The cost of healthcare is so big, and for the few minutes that I spend with people...I'm not sure how they're getting their money's worth. What's a nurse? A nurse is someone who wanted to help take care of people and sacrificed time and money to earn the degree so that he/she could do that. A nurse is someone who realizes that in the hospital, you give the patient's pills, say a couple of nice things, and then try to get everything done that's supposed to get done...a nurse is someone who wants to have the time to just stand with their patient when they're scared about a procedure, or crying because they're dying, or worried that they'll never walk again...but the phone rings five times while the patient is distraught and "duty calls." A nurse is probably one of the unhealthiest people you'll meet because they never eat, sleep, or pee like normal people. A nurse is the eyes for the doctor and the ears for the patient. I think that being a nurse might be a good thing...but everyday I wake up and wonder why I'm a nurse. I know the original reasoning...and now it kind of seems silly, but what's done is done. I'm a nurse...and with that comes the brain that was trained and transformed to think like a nurse - and I'll never not be a nurse. But I want so bad to be something else.

MAD Day 2006

Well, before we graduated in 2004 Mary, Doris, and I agreed to create a MAD (Mary, Amanda, Doris) day. Two and a half years ago we randomly picked August 26th. Because of my trip to Maine, we couldn't meet then so we met this past weekend. This is our third year to not return to college...and the third time that we've met for MAD day. The past two years we've met near Louisville, and this year we decided it was time for a change. We met in Madison, IN. It was a nice small town with enough stuff to keep us busy. We found that we're not nearly as energetic as we were in college...we're becoming old. It seems that all of us like nursing, but none of us like being a nurse. We visited Clifty Falls, and we walked around to several shops downtown. We found an international festival Saturday evening, and we watched a movie in an old theatre downtown. It was good to get together...and I'm excited to get together again.

Mainely Driving

Well, we estimated that we spent about 60 hours in the car over about 3000 miles. That's a lot of together time, but it was great. Along the way we read part of Prince Caspian (from the Chronicles of Narnia) and the book of Acts. I looked and looked for a Moose, but I didn't see one. The land was beautiful, and it was actually quite refreshing to wake up in the tent to hear the animals and see the sun shining. Camping makes things be a much slower pace, and that's what I think I really need to relax. Before we got to Maine though, we stopped to see the sites in Boston and meet up with Austin and Sarah Lui. I liked visiting Boston, but I don't think that I'd want to live there. We drove through 10 states...so, we've got New England covered. Next up, the west -but first a mission trip :) Our destination remains unknown, but we're working on it. I really love these beginning years of marriage where we can travel and just hang out with each other. We ended our trip with visiting the parents in Anderson. It was really great to just see and be with our families. Dad wasn't feeling too good, but hopefully he'll get better and be his old self again. *no added emphasis on the old, of course :)* Andy and I both worked on Labor Day, and I just found out that I get to work Labor Day again next year -which means I have all the other holidays off. Even though we're not really excited about starting the work routine again and not seeing each other until the weekends, I do believe that we're glad to be home.

Two Weeks

At church the pastors talk about how we shouldn't "live for the weekend" and how we shouldn't have "oh me, it's Monday" philosophies. I understand what they're saying, but I hate whenever I wake up on Monday to realize that it's the beginning of another "good-bye". I feel like with our work schedules (me working nights, Andy working evenings) that through the week we rarely get to see each other. That's especially true if I work several nights and come home to sleep. And I suppose that when I say "see" that isn't really true. We see each other while one is sleeping or whatever. I guess what I mean is that we don't spend time together. I just miss him. I hate the part of the day (especially on Mondays) where he gets ready to leave and I'll know it'll be Tuesday morning before I see him again and Friday night before we really get to spend time with each other. I guess it's a good thing that I like him so much and want to be around him...and maybe it's a good thing that I'm not around him all the time or he might get tired of me.
All that to say that in two weeks -actually a little less than two weeks- we get to go on another vacation. One whole week of togetherness...in the car, hiking, camping, walking the historical streets of America. I hope that it's fun...and I hope that we love and cherish the time that we get with each other. I'm trying to be positive and be happy about that week, but I'm already dreading the end of it when we both have to come back and say "good-bye" to each other again. This past weekend was fun and good...and I'm sad to see it go. And, I will be very excited to see Friday come again...but also happy for all the in between times that I have to spend with Andy and with the other people that happen to walk into my life this week.

First Anniversary (and a thousand other things)

Well, the weekend was long and fun...but I guess that my body is screaming for me to slow down. I'm sick -there's no denying it. It hurts to move, and I even went to the doctor today and called in sick to work yesterday. (The calling in was a first for me.) So, maybe it didn't end so great, but it's time to give an update on where I've been recently.

*Warning: Long Post*

On Friday Andy and I drove to St. Louis to celebrate our first year anniversary. Yeah! One year :) We checked into our bed and breakfast around 1:30 or so. Then, we took a nap. We left around 4pm to go into town so we could catch our dinner cruise. We left early thinking that we could get there early and take a look at the arch museum. That was not to be. We finally pulled into the parking area a little after 6:00 pm. We walked through a huge crowd of people. There was an outdoor concert right in front of the steps up to the arch. A free concert -and it was packed. We had problems finding our tickets, but they let us on the dinner boat anyway. We met a great couple that ate beside us. After the little cruise, we watched fireworks on the dock and then drove back to the B&B. Andy read me the last chapter of The Horse and His Boy (part of the Chronicles of Narnia) and then we fell asleep.

Saturday we woke up and ate an amazing breakfast (candlelight and soft music, the whole thing). We drove to Kirkwood and saw Barb and Grandma for a very short time, and the we visited the City Museum -a very interesting (and fun) place. We started on our way home Saturday afternoon. We stopped at Archiver's (a scrapbooking store) and ate at Boston Market.

Sunday morning we woke up early, anticipating our first time as Sunday School teachers. The morning went off fairly well. We talked about our German missionaries and learned "God is so Good" in German. Sunday night we went to church to say good bye to Pastor Andy and Elizabeth Martin. He was the youth pastor, but now they are leaving to serve in Tampa. It's quite a lot farther from both of their families. There was a lot of crying from everyone, but I believe there is a sense of peace at the church about their leaving.

Monday morning we woke up and met the Terry's at their house. We left from there and headed to Holiday World. It was a little more crowded than I had excepted (since we went on a Monday) but it was a lot of fun. We rode roller coasters and played in the water park. All that, and I didn't even get sunburned. And then Monday night my throat started hurting...and I didn't sleep well that night, and Tuesday morning it was worse and my whole body ached...and I couldn't breathe very well and it was hard to sleep...and then at 3pm I finally gave in and called in sick to work...and then Tuesday night I couldn't sleep (even after I took some OTC medicine)...and then Wednesday morning I woke up after a very restless night's sleep and felt worse. So, today I went to the doctor. And that is what I've been doing.

August already...

Well, I worked last night and as I was signing some charts, I realized that it was August...and it actually didn't take too long to train my brain to write "8" instead of "7". Our first anniversary is quickly approaching, only 5 more days. It doesn't seem quite as monumental of an occassion as I thought it would be. I guess maybe I was thinking it would come with the all the emotions that the wedding came with, but that is of course not the case. It's been a lot of fun just learning each other, and Andy and I are really best friends. We really love just doing stuff together...and we've got some upcoming trips planned. This weekend should be fun-filled with a trip to St. Louis, back home, and then to Holiday World. The end of August should be really great too. I feel blessed that we have vacation time to take just to spend together. It's hard to believe that 2006 is more than half-way over...another year nearly gone.

just busy

well, I'm mostly posting because I haven't posted in a while. It seems that merely living itself is keeping us busy. We don't have to plan for things to do, they just pop up and we've got ourselves something written on the calendar. Honestly, I think nearly everyday from now until Labor Day has something scheduled already. It's good to be busy...except when you're tired and you just want to slow down. I think Andy even went and uncovered his old palm pilot just so he could keep track of where he needs to be, and hopefully keep from double booking ourselves. We've been busy with weddings, pictures, work, mowing, cooking, cleaning, driving, meeting with people, planning for classes at church, working with the people at church, playing our piano, planning our vacations, my discipleship time, lots of guests here at the house...and it's been wonderfully busy...and I'm quite tired. Maybe Andy and I can just take some vacation and secretly hide here at our house...that might be fun :)

happy half birthday!!!

My dearest Andy is 25 1/2 years old today...more than half-way to 50. I think so far he's done well living his life, and I'm really excited to be a part of it. I'm not sure yet how we'll celebrate this momentous event, but I've gotta think of something. I'll keep you posted -for now, I'm off to bed. I just finished working a night shift at the hospital and I'm tired...

my birthday...

16 years ago, on a thursday night I was at yellow creek youth camp. I heard for the millionth time that Jesus loved me and that I needed forgiveness for my sins. Finally that day I accepted His gift...16 years ago. I found out later that night that July 12th happened to be my grandfather's birthday which has made it an easy date to remember. Pappaw is in Heaven now, but I can imagine that he had a party because it was my spiritual birthday -and actually Timothy's too. So, that's happy. In order to celebrate I got a cake, flowers, and some ice cream. It was just me and Andy, but it was good and fun and very humbling to remember why we were celebrating.

Thank you, Jesus!

Busy with painting and people

Well, I have been busy since last week. I had my first experience on ebay, and I won a bid :) Then I was inspired to start painting one of the bedrooms upstairs. Monday I got the paint and I began painting both myself and the wall. It's not quite finished yet, but so far I think it looks cute.
On Tuesday I got a call from Aunt Beverly saying she wanted to come visit us. On Friday both she and my mom showed up later in the evening. We talked for a while and when Andy got home we all went out and ate at IHOP. On Saturday we had an excursion to Burden Falls Wilderness. We saw the highest waterfall in Illinois, although while we were there it was a small trickle of water. Apparently during the spring time it's quite impressive.
Sunday we went to church. Monday morning we went walking by the riverfront, and then headed to look at a piano that we heard about the day before. After unloading and reloading totes into a storage shed we were able to carry our very own piano home. In a few days it will be tuned, which will be exciting. Both Andy and I are really happy about having our own piano here at the house.
Today is of course the 4th of July, Independence Day. Mom left early this morning and Aunt Beverly wasn't too far behind her. Then, Gwyn (yes, the Gwyn that was in China) stopped by for a visit. She stayed for a few hours and then went on her way to meet up with some family in Kentucky. It was lovely to see her again, but she's headed back at the end of July for one more year of teaching in China. Oh, but she did write her Chinese name for me...and she promised to get me a Chinese name. So, that'll be fun.
Immediately after Gwyn left my neighbors started doing LOTS of fireworks, and these are HUGE fireworks. It's neat because I can see how big and pretty they are all from my chair inside our little office area. It's much cooler inside too.
So now I'm waiting for Andy to come home and hug me. (Yes, he had to work today.) In the meantime I've been reading some, blogging of course, and thinking about having to go back to work. Whenever I go back this week it will be the first time in four months that I'll be a nurse on the unit instead of reading lots of charts. I'm kind of happy and nervous about that. I hope that I can remember everything that I need to remember. But for now I'm having fun just smiling and being happy about life. I hope you are too.

Fun for the Whole Family

Well, yesterday was Father's Day, but it was also my father's birthday. So, Andy and I left Saturday morning (after a very small amount of sleep) to Anderson to see the family. The great thing about this trip was that Jon and Kristi were in town as well. The last time the whole family had been together at the same time was Christmas - and then it was only for about four hours. Anyway, everyone was very happy to see each other and just be together. It's fun and neat to see how our family has changed and grown. We played some chess, swam in the pool, went to church, bought some flowers...and shoes...and clothes. Sunday was great. Monday started a busy week for us all though. I was supposed to be at work at 9am, Andy went back to work, Jon and Kristi go back to Arkansas, Mom goes back to work, and Dad flies to Florida for the ABA meeting. Andy and I left kind of late Sunday night from my parent's house and ended up back home in Evansville around 1am...and we were tired. It was a great weekend though, and I hope that there are a lot more of them to come.

Indiana to Arkansas and back again

We went to Arkansas and stayed for a few days. It was fun and relaxing...but the trip home was long. We of course stopped at Lambert's to eat, this time on the way back to Indiana. It was good...and I still have some chicken in the refrigerator left over from that experience. Then, Monday came and our week started again -back into the routine of how things have been for several months. I'm not sure if the week seems like it's been really long, short, or just average...but I know that I've been tired nearly all week. For my birthday Jon and Kris gave me the Chronicles of Narnia, so now every night before I fall asleep Andy reads me one chapter...I hate how it leaves me hanging and wondering what's going to happen next, but I love listening to the stories. And...speaking of Jon and Kris they actually just left my house. They came last night and spent the night, and then they left just after we ate some lunch today. They're so much fun, and I really love having them around. Sometimes I wish we all lived a little closer to each other. Anyway, they seem happy and healthy...and I'm glad that they are able to come vacationing for a longer than usual time.

Hip Hip Hooray!

So, it's still kind of early in the morning right now, but today is the day that we get to embark on another Arkansan adventure. All the family (mine, anyway) is in Arkansas, and we're going to meet up with them. So, today I'll be busy packing and rotating the car tires. Andy was able to switch his normal shift to a day shift so we'll be able to leave a little earlier this evening. I'm excited!

This weekend we busied ourselves with painting. First at the church's new mission house, and then at our own home. Our bedroom looks pretty :)

Sleep

So, here it is nearly 2:30 a.m., I'm supposed to get up at 8:30 a.m., Andy is sleeping away, and I can't fall asleep. Why? I'm not quite sure. I laid down on my bed quite tired...but then I started thinking. I suppose if one is trying to go to sleep that starting to think is a bad thing indeed. Anyway, I read a little in Job -about God creating everything...and a little about earthworms too. The ODB had an illustration that compared the quiet work that earthworms do to the work that the Holy Spirit does in our hearts. It's funny, I'd never thought about the importance of an earthworm. Which, in turn gives me more to think about when I really just need to turn my brain off. So, here's a little post about not sleeping...I hope I didn't put you to sleep. :)

school is out for the summer

Well, you can definitely tell that school is out. The kids are all outside playing, laughing, and enjoying the fact that their summer vacation has begun. The kids at church are really excited, and some parents are more happy about the break than their kids are. It's strange having a real job where you don't just get the 2 or 3 months off like you did in school. It's kind of sad, but I suppose that's just a piece of growing up. Eugh.
Anyway, everyone seems to be making plans for Memorial Day. I'm sure there is a lot of traveling that's going to happen this weekend. Andy and I are going to take a trip to Arkansas, but not until Wednesday. I'm really excited about it because we'll get to see everyone again. I can't wait to hug everyone and just have a chance to be away again. Road trips with my husband are always great :)

Happy Birthday!

Well, nothing really exciting is happening in my life. I've been fighting (yet again) with a lingering headache. I really hope it goes away soon. Mary and Ruth are leaving soon...and I really hope that their trip goes well. I'm excited and perhaps slightly jealous of them (although they would just remind that I had a chance to go with them...) Anyway, I mainly wanted to post something just to say Happy Birthday to Aaron & Carey -22 years old today! Birthdays are fun. I love you guys!



<--- a few years ago :)

warm weather, stormy nights, and bloomin' flowers

So, the weather has finally (yes, finally) warmed up! And something about this weather has brought on the desire to do and redo stuff to the house. Andy and I have various projects that we're thinking about doing or are in the process of doing. It's going to be fun...I hope. Anyway, because of the warmer weather I've been trying to work with the flowers. I thought that some of them were dead...and the day after I threatened to dig them up they all bloomed. I really love our house, it just seems happy and cozy. We've had some thunderstorms recently, but nothing too awful. It's just enough noise and lightning to keep you awake at night. So, it appears that spring is here...

And Life Goes On...

So...Friday was my birthday -and thanks to all the people that made it great :) Saturday morning Andy and I got up (after very little sleep) and drove to Belmont to get together with the Miller family. It was great fun. We got to see Carey and Chris...and we got to hide and search for our Easter baskets. We drove home late Saturday night and crashed in our bed. Sunday morning we got up a little earlier than normal to go to the sunrise service at church, which was interesting. Sunday morning services went well, and Andy and I had the rest of the day. The Terry family called that afternoon and asked if we wanted to come over to their house. We readily agreed. We ate supper with them and the girls had made me birthday brownies...sooo good, and incredibly kind of them. We played several games and laughed a lot. Since then we've been going to work and just having fun being great friends...I love my husband!!!

In Lieu of Bolivia

So, I quickly found out why God had been trying to assure me that "obstacles are opportunities" and that He is (in fact) in control of everything. More than that, He has time to remember me by preparing me. As I'm sure you know, the trip to Bolivia was canceled before we ever left, but not before our bags were packed and our car was cleaned. So, in lieu of Bolivia we headed south to Florence, Alabama where I lived for almost 8 years (1989-1997) and then continued around the southeastern part of the US. We drove through 8 states and Washington D.C. It was a lot of fun to just stop when we saw something interesting or sleep in whatever state or city we wanted to...and it was just fun being together. Andy drove the entire 3,000 miles and I faithfully navigated him along the way (although, not always the right way). This weekend we're anticipating some more quality time together in the car as we head to Belmont to see the family...I can't wait!

more excited???

Okay...so, less than two weeks left now until we fly away. Only one more Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. How exciting is that!?!? We really should start to pack...we did pick up a few things at the store the other day that we're going to take with us. I'm totally excited about Bolivia, and I'm really really excited about Andy going too...it'll be great memories and great fun. There are a lot of people at church who have asked me about the trip (now that they know) and have said they're praying, and even asked for specific prayer requests so they could know how to pray...that's been really encouraging. Pastor Tim was at church on Sunday and Saturday they had the last evening of the Bible conference...that was also encouraging. Seeing the family was great, and all in all I've had a great last few days. I hope that God uses us in awesome ways here in Evansville and everywhere we travel. I feel so excited about life :)

A little trip...

Well, Andy and I are getting more excited about Bolivia. Only about 2 weeks left now to wait. We've had a few surprises already, most significantly is our city of departure. We aren't able to fly from Indy so we're going to leave from Nashville instead. Since we won't see our parents now, Andy finally convinced me to head north...to Anderson. I got in last night just a little late for church. I walked in where my dad was teaching a class to see his look of shock and then to hear my mom gasp. It's good to be here. I must say though, it's very strange to be away from Andy like this. I miss him lots, moreso (I think) because I didn't really see him Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday because of our work schedules. Anyway, I'm enjoying the time away and excited for Bolivia. Pray for us that we keep happy hearts and have faith like children.

The weather

So, today was fun...mostly because it was different and I got to spend time with people without having to be at work. That was the greatest part, I think. I slept last night, but not that well really. Then, Andy and I got ready and went to pick up Krissy and Lauren. We met them at the church where their brothers were having to meet for play practice. We swept them away and headed to our house -because Andy needed to drop us off so he could go to work. Soon after we got home Andy said, "is that the weather sirens?". I said, "I think so." Just then, his phone rang with the news of bad weather -what, a tornado??? He decided to go ahead to work, and the girls and I turned on the tv and sat on the couch. Soon the weather guy said something about it being really close to us and we should get to a room without windows or to a basement. So, we gathered up a few board games, a blanket, and the mini-tv thing. We sat in the basement and decided to play yatzee...lauren rolled first, and got a Yatzee on her first roll! I (of course) lost the game, Lauren won, and Krissy was in between the two of us. Then, it was time to go pick up their brothers -a fairly uneventful trip and I delivered them safely home. Since then I've washed some clothes, took a little nap, and now I'm getting ready to make supper. So, an exciting day -and it was fun to have the girls along for the ride. Tomorrow I am so blessed as to be working only 8 hours from 2:30-11:00. After that I bet Andy and I will go out to eat...we usually do if we both work Friday night, I think it's a type of celebration of sorts -celebrating the weekend's arrival!

Happy birthday, Mary!

So, today is Mary's birthday -thus, this is a tribute to her.

Mary, Mary, did you know?
You're a friend that can't be beat
you're so cool and you're so neat.
Mary, Mary, did you know?
You make great food that's good to eat
you're never rude and always sweet.
Mary, Mary did you know?
You're fun, you're smart, you show you care
you're honest, good, and very fair.
I'm glad God let us be great friends
and I hope our friendship never ends!
Much love my friend!
Happy birthday...

And so....

well, you might think, "wow, she's lucky. she only has to work 2 days a week." Well, think what you will. I admit (unashamedly) that I would love to have a job that didn't make me sick or mad with low stress that I'd have to go to Mon-Friday for eight hours instead of the one I have. I don't like being a nurse...I wanna be a secretary, or some kind of administrative coordinator. But, I suppose I should "at least get my money's worth" of my education, as Andy said the other day. Anyway, I was scheduled for Monday and Tuesday and survived (albeit, barely) both nights...12 hours each, although Tuesday ended up being about 13 hours. Now, I'm excited to have the rest of the week off, but quite sad that this is already Thursday. Andy's anxiously awaiting Friday and I hope that it'll hold off just a little longer so I don't have to go back to work quite so soon. Saturday is the Awana party that I planned for the girls. I'm excited and a little nervous about it...I want it to go well, and I really want them to have fun. I guess I should clean the house up some since they'll be here for a few hours, although I doubt that they'd care too much. Pizza's on the menu for Saturday and I've already bought drinks, cookies, scrapbooking material, and the girls are ready. I've just got to get all the pictures developed by Saturday...and I need to clean out my car so they'll have a place to sit :)
In the meantime (besides being at work, sleeping, and planning this party) I'm getting a little more excited each day about Bolivia. We have only 30 days left until we fly away. Andy told me that we'll be flying out late from Miami on April 1st...we'll be flying at night, so we're supposed to sleep...??? How do they expect me to sleep when I'm going to be so excited about getting there? All I know is, I hope that they don't expect me to be in proper working condition on Sunday when we arrive. Anyway, I'm thinking of gathering up clothes and stuff to pack...the shots are all done and the passports are ready, and I'm really excited to leave.
Oh, and Andy had this great idea about praying for everyone that is listed as part of the MacMed team going to Bolivia...so, if you're going and you're reading this, Andy and I have one day this month set aside to pray for you.
And with that thought, I close this entry with thoughts of sleeping but intentions of cleaning...I'll let you know what happens :)
much love to the family