Answered Prayer

Finally, after 2 years of praying and hoping God has given me a new job. I'm so excited and I'm so scared. It's a full time position which takes away some of the flexibility that I have been enjoying, but it's an 8-5 job -no weekends, holidays...all that fun stuff :) And, it's a mission oriented place. It's the ECHO clinic, which offers low or no cost healthcare to individuals with no insurance or who are homeless. They offered me the position with the Homeless clinic. This facility isn't a mini emergency room, it's used to function like a doctor's office. They do a lot of patient education and work on getting prescriptions at low/no cost for the patients. I feel like it's a great place to serve, use my nursing skills, and get paid for doing it! I'm so excited, but I really need to sleep so that I can stay awake at work tonight. I only have 3 more shifts at the hospital before I switch over to the new job. It's so lovely to have something to look forward too!!!

Keeping Up with Life

I feel somewhat obligated to post something, although I don't feel that there has been any significant changes in my life or daily activities. I feel like we've been keeping busy with lots of various things. I took a reluctant Andy shopping last weekend. We had not even started our Christmas shopping yet, but we finished most people on the list last week. I love Christmas and I love the lights. I love when we're just driving through the streets looking at how others have decorated their homes. I love eating out on weekends when we don't have lots of stuff to worry about. I love the thought of a roadtrip with Andy, and I love the fact that we're going to see family soon. I love hugs, and I love happy people. I really do love this season...just the festive feeling that everyone seems to have. But, I do wish that it would last a little longer. It's hard to believe that have been married for 3 Christmases, but I'm anxiously awaiting what God has in store for us this next year.

Oh, so busy

alright...so, I was trying a new blog thing but I haven't quite got all the kinks worked out yet. Andy and I have been keeping very busy with random activities and with just life. I was doing auditing at the hospital, but I have had to go back to working on the floor. The first day that I went back I applied for 3 other jobs...I haven't heard anything yet. I suppose that I should call and follow-up on those. Andy and I bought a new dining room table. It's fun to eat at, and Andy and I love how we can spread out all our books and Bibles to get the full picture. So far, we love the table.

I had the first ever Awana girls overnight party. I had 10 girls show up and 2 amazing workers with me. It was incredibly tiring, but it was fun and the girls seemed to really enjoy themselves. Then, yesterday we had the annual Thanksgiving meal after the morning service at church. It was a "big-to-do" but I think things went well and that everyone enjoyed themselves. I'm really excited about the holidays...I have to work Tuesday night this week and then we're off to see family. I'm just excited. I keep walking down the Christmas isles at the stores and just feeling happy. I haven't done any Christmas shopping yet, but I am in love with all the big, beautiful, bright colors.

Andy and I drove the 14news car in the Owensboro, Kentucky parade. It claims to be the largest Christmas parade in Kentucky and the second largest parade in Kentucky. Kind of amazing. There were lots of people there...and it was kind of fun to be a part of it.

So, now I'm going to try to mix the mundane house stuff (washing dishes and clothes) with more happy crafty activities.

The tradition continues

MAD Day -something we invented our year of college. It stands for Mary, Amanda, & Doris...and believe me, it's madness when we get back together. It's tons of laughter and gratefulness of this amazing bond that hasn't diminished over time and miles. When we were in college, we knew that we needed to set aside a specific day to meet or else we might get too busy to ever get together. So, the actual MAD day is August 26th...though at the moment, I can't remember why that day. This was the fourth year that we've come together, but the first year we were able to spend a significant amount of time together. Mary and Doris came to my house Wednesday night, and we left Thursday to drove to Nashville. We stayed for nights, and finally returned home on Monday. We went on a tour of the Grand Ole Opry -with senior citizens...which makes it mostly funny. We did lots of shopping and went on a historical night tour of Franklin, Tennessee. It was great fun, and I already miss the camaraderie of the girls....



I'm excited about the reunion this weekend. I hope that it's as fun as I've been dreaming. I've been looking forward to this weekend for about 2 months. Andy and I both have Friday off, which will be exciting as well. And, we're picking up Carey...which is really exciting, too. So...fun times await. :)

Fun & Happy Times

So, lots has happened. Ummm, Gwyn came to visit. She stayed for 3 days, and it was lovely for me to have her here. I'm so excited that she's a fairly short drive away if I feel the need to visit her. She left a week ago this past Wednesday to head back to Bloomington. On Wednesday night I thought someone was trying to break in our house, but it was just a tree falling and causing the electrical wires to rip from our house and take away our electricity. We were finally able to get our electricity back Friday afternoon, but Andy and I are really grateful for those electricity-less days. It was a great renewal time...kind of like going to church camp to get away from it all, only we just had to come home.

On September 1st we went to a wedding for Andy's reporter. It was in Bowling Green, KY which was a nice drive. The wedding was pretty...and I came home with ribbons and boxes.

Then, I started in on making my room for Awana. It was a really long process because everytime I nearly finished one thing, I thought of something new to add to my "to-do" list. I bought the electronic cricut cutter, and I have to say I love it. It's been tons of fun, and it's really saved me lots of work. Oh, and I also found a teacher supply store here in town, which was exciting to walk through. I think that the room turned out wonderful, and I hope that I can maintain the excitement throughout the year. I had 11 girls in my class the first night. I thought I would only have 8 but I prepared for 12, which I'm quite glad for now.

So, the week is coming to an end and at least at this point we actually don't have anything scheduled to do over the weekend...and we're not even teaching Sunday school. So it seems as though we're totally free which is quite exciting.

Weekend Events

There is no doubt about it...this weekend, we are busy. Andy and I are both excited for the autumn season to come, both for the weather and all the family events that go along with it. We are excited to be able to see each other when the busy-ness is done, and yet we are excited to be busy right now. Jon and Kristine have this week off, and they left yesterday evening in hopes of driving all the way to Anderson. At the insistance of Kristine, they ended up stopping here in Evansville instead. I'm glad they did. It gave me a chance to see them (and Niah) and it makes me feel better that they weren't driving all night. I know their plans are a little changed now...and maybe not what they want them to be, but I think they are excited to have the time off and I'll just keep praying that God keeps them safe as they travel and try to see as many people as possible.

Andy left early this morning to go be a boy scout. Actually, he says he's not really a boy scout anymore...he's an assistant scout master- something that might not be quite as exciting as being the actual scout. So, he is off frolicking around some caves and rocks, playing with fire and wearing his newly patched uniform. He was up when Jon and Kris came in last night (about 3am) and he left around 7:30 this morning...something he wasn't too excited about at the time. I think he was still hearing the bed call his name. You'll be glad to know that he did make it there safe...now, hopefully we have that same result with the return trip.

Tomorrow will be our last Sunday teaching Sunday school. We have completed a year and 3 weeks of attempting to fill young minds with God's Word, and now we're handing it over. They said they had someone to replace us, and I hope they were for real because I'm ready for a furlough from Sunday morning teaching. I'm excited once again to be a student, although I'll continue being the leader for the oldest group of Awana girls- and I'm really excited about that.

Also, tomorrow afternoon we are having the "Pastor of Student Ministries", James, and his wife Nikki over for lunch. This was supposed to happen several weeks ago, but wires got crossed and we ended up at their house instead. Then, wires got crossed again and the meal was postponed...I think it's happening for real tomorrow.

Then, tomorrow afternoon we will have the pleasure of hosting the incredibly traveled, Gwyn Hamrick. She returned from China about a month ago, and she's been going non-stop since her return. I'm excited just to hug her and have some girl talk. She said she was staying until we kicked her out. I doubt that we'll ever actually "kick her out", but if she feels lonely after I must return to work she'll probably be heading back home near the middle of next week.

Hectic, busy lives we lead. Sometimes I feel like life is too busy to even be lived, but I suppose if you think about it that doesn't really make since. I'm excited for the busyness because it makes me grateful for the quietness. I'm trying to grow up my spiritual life and grow my marriage and grow my relationships with people around me and the family I really love...and I'm incredibly happy to have the ultimate Gardener tending my life.

I love my husband

I know, I know...everyone's thinking, "not another mushy blog to read." I don't know if I can make it sound nice and good and not mushy, but I'll try. Andy is amazing. He is fun and funny. He has been staying really busy recently with a gazillion things which limits our time together, but I love that he loves helping people. And, I love seeing him work. It seems that our lives are so busy...and more so recently than just normally.
I love that Andy loves me and that he wants to do anything that he can think of to make me smile. I love that he knows me...knows me well enough to know what I'm thinking or what I'd say. That's just cool. I love that he's my best friend...the first one that I call when I'm incredibly happy about something and the first one I call when I'm so incredibly disappointed. I love that he wants to be with me and that he thinks I'm amazing. And, I love that he teaches me stuff...geeky, computer stuff, and things about the earth and sky. But what I love the most is that Andy loves God and he cares about and encourages my walk with God. I love that he teaches me stuff about God and lets me in on things he's read or learned in or about the Bible. I love that the most. Yesterday Andy told me about an awesome thought he had while he was reading his Bible. He said he was reading the story about Jesus turning the water into wine, his first miracle (John 2)...only Jesus didn't actually touch or do anything to the water. I thought about it for a secord and realized that he was right. Jesus just told the servants what to do. Then, Andy said how awesome it is that Jesus works through His servants. God gives us a plan and His will for our lives...He gives His commandments, and if we are willing to follow through and do what He says, God can do miracles through us, His servants. What an awesome thought. Through it all, God has infinate power and wants to do amazing things through us. So cool.
My husband is awesome. I love him, and I love that he loves me...and teaches me really cool things about God.

Shooting Stars

That song "Catch a falling star and put it in your pocket, never let it fade away." I am 25 years old and I had never, ever seen a falling or shooting star. I'm not sure why, I was just always looking in the wrong place. On Sunday And said that it was supposed to be the peak of Perseid Meteor shower. So, Sunday night we drove out to a place that was dark enough to see the beautiful stars in the sky. The stars were pretty. We looked up into the sky, just staring for a long time. Then, Andy yelled "I saw one!" Of course, I missed it. I kept looking and then...I SAW ONE! It was quick, but it was a beautiful flash across the sky. Not too long after that, there was an amazing one...it was HUGE! I could see pink, blue, white, and green...I think. It crossed the sky much slower than the others and seemed to be closer to the surface...almost like fireworks. It was amazing. We probably saw 20 more before the night was over...we stayed for a total of 11/2 hours. I loved it...and it was beautiful. I told Andy it would have been so much easier to see in Arizona or Africa...the sky looks so much closer and clearer in those places. Maybe next time I'm in Arizona or Africa I'll be lucky enough to see a "shooting star".

To Be, Or Not To Be...

a school nurse. That's the question that I've been asking myself for the last week. I've been trying incredibly hard since May to get a job as a school nurse within the local school system. I was hoping for an elementary job. A couple of weeks ago there was a posting for two high school positions. I wasn't quite sure if that's what I was wanting...high school's not really my forté. I had already applied with the school system, so I went ahead and sent a letter of interest and resumé in and went ahead with my plans to visit Jon, Kris, and Niah in Arkansas (which was wonderful).

While I was gone they called to set up an interview for the following Monday (July 30). I said yes. After talking with them during the interview, I was even more uncertain as to whether or not I should take the job if it was offered. In the mean time, I've been working at the hosptial, and Thursday night I ended up staying three hours late trying to finish up the mess that piled up during my shift. The hosptial is insane, I tell you. Anyway, so today they called and offered me the job....I asked if she needed an answer right away. She said yes, and I said no. I turned it down. I think I feel good about the decision and still amazed that I turned it down. I've been looking on the website to see if they had to re-post it, and there's nothing listed yet which makes me feel some better. I really hope that I've made the right decision.

I got to talk to Gwyn, which was wonderful. I love her, and I'm so glad that things are working out for her and I can't wait until I see her again.

And, this weekend -Monday, actually- is mine and Andy's 2 year wedding anniversary :) I'm so excited for the weekend.

Things that are old

On Saturday my little baby brother turned 20. 20 years old. Can you believe it? It kind of seems crazy if you remember him like this...

Andy and I feel asleep in bed Friday night asking ourselves what we were going to do on Saturday. We never answered the question since we both feel asleep before coming to a conclusion. When we finally got ourselves together on Saturday, we decided to go look in antique shops...I have this nagging desire to decorate our home and this overwhelming realization that I have no idea what to do or where to begin. Andy and I got in the car and he drove us to Newburgh, IN. It's a nice, quiet town not too far from here. There is a lot of history there, and several antique stores. We stopped into a few of them, but I didn't really see anything that inspired me. Around 4:30 most of the shops were closing down and we took a nice stroll near the river around the historic part of town. We decided that we'd seen enough and headed out of town.

One of the things mentioned on Friday night that we could do was to hike a trail in some park somewhere. I thought that we would probably head home and try to find some food, but Andy was driving...and he drove into lots of scenic areas. I thought it was a lovely drive, and I was quite content to just watch the trees go by....then, all of the sudden I spotted a sign (keep in mind I'm directionally deficited, and I had no idea where we were). The sign said Lincoln State Park.

Lincoln State Park?!?! I have a fascination with history and I really love learning about how, when and where people lived. Also, I really like the time era that Abraham Lincoln lived...and, he was shot on my birthday 117 years before I was born. Last year I found out that we lived relatively close to this park, and yet Andy had not taken me there. When I realized where we were going, I was really excited. It was after 5pm, so we weren't able to go inside the museum, but we were able to walk and see the 12 Stone Trail, the historical farm, the spring, and several trees that I believe Abe either climbed or sat beside to read. (I created several senarios since we didn't have the priviledge of a naturalist guide.) It was very exciting.

The final highlight to the day was coming home and finding a package in the mail. I have the awful habit of happily gasping whenever I see something wonderful (like a package in the mailbox). This always scares Andy who believes that something terrible either has or is about to happen. I'm incredibly sorry for having such awful timing with my happy gasps, but I can't seem to change. But, inside the package was a letter...from Mrs. Justison to a Mrs. Justison...and a beautful, wonderful, incredibly happy blue skirt that fit perfectly and flared wonderfully as I twirlled around. That made everything more exciting.

Sunday was fairly uneventful for us, but the Terry family has been experiencing some car trouble. We rescued them from the hot parking lot, and for this week Andy and I are sharing his car while mine is on loan to Lisa. I like sharing a car, although I suppose it can make things a little tricky at times.

I'm hoping the week is wonderful, and I'm excited to see what happens.

Psalm 121: "My help comes from the LORD, which made Heaven and Earth"

An Abridged Version of the Last Few Days

Well, we've been back in Evansville for three weeks now and every once in a while Andy looks at me and says he wishes we were back in Mexico. Sometimes I wish the same thing. I look almost every day to see if a new job is listed in the paper or with the school system. I wonder if I'm ruined forever with "working the floor" as it's said. Andy and I dream of having new jobs, but I know that we're blessed to have the jobs we have. I keep trying to remember that.

When we got back from Mexico I bought a chest of drawers at a yard sale. I've scraped it, primed it, and then finally painted it. I wish now that I would have taken before pictures...it looks a lot different. I replaced a drawer, nailed some pieces back together...and well, it's good that it looks like it does. I like that it has that old look, but I do wish the painting were a little more even. It's in the George room, and I really love that room. It's probably my favorite place in the house.

Mary, Doris and I are planning for our MAD day, which is exciting. We're going in September, which also reminds me of the Rowden Reunion that will soon be approaching. It'll be good to see family again.

Last weekend Andy and I attempted to go geocaching. It was a fun time in the car driving, but we must be really bad at this sort of thing. I can't remember how many sites we visited, but it was at least five...and we didn't find any of them. There was a snake in one of the posts that I'd been sticking my hand in...I'm glad Andy warned me before I got bit.

I'm excited about the fact that it's Friday. I hope that this is a wonderful and refreshing weekend and that next week proves to be one of the best in a while.

Mexico Adventures

Well, Andy and I are home after a CCF Alumni mission trip to Mexico. Andy attended CCF while he was at Vincennes and he was a resident in the campus house his last year. There were 21 people that were going on the trip. He knew a few of them, but several of them had graduated more recently. We were two of the older ones on the trip, which seemed kind of strange. We all met at the campus house on Thursday night (May 31) and Scott (the campus minister) wanted to meet with everyone that night. At about 11pm we found out that we might not have transportation to travel to Mexico. We had a group prayer session. The maintenance guys had gone to just fix something small and they ended up finding more wrong. We thought the entire engine was shot. Several other area churches were contacted, but for various reasons we weren't able to borrow their vans or buses. About 45 minutes after our prayer the maintenance guys called and said that the bus seemed to be working right and they were going to take it out to get it hot and see what happened. Amazingly, the bus did fine. We took it on the trip and we had no major problems. If you remember, Andy and I had planned a Bolivia trip last year that was cancelled as well. When we heard this news about Mexico we just looked at each other. I had this amazing calm feeling, and I wonder if God didn't just allow this to happen just to show me how to trust more.
Well, we spent several hours in the bus...about 25 each way. I made some amazing friends that I really loved hanging out with. It was really great to have that christian community feeling again. I really miss it, and it seemed kind of amazing how I fit right in with all the girls.
We arrived on Saturday morning, and actually had a little more problem crossing into Mexico than we had coming into the US. We went shopping in the market. I almost wish we could have had a little more time there...maybe I'm a shopper at heart and didn't know it. Anyway, we relaxed for the rest of Saturday, and Sunday we woke up early to head out with the church that was at our location. They were going to have a church picnic. It was fun. They all brought breakfast -the potato tacos were quite yummy. Then we were part of the worship service (it reminded me a lot of church camp). The singing was great, and I caught a few phrases in the sermon...but I definitely need to brush up on my Spanish. The lunch was wonderful ~ chicken and rice...I loved it!!! We stayed at the picnic until about 4pm, and then it was about an hour drive in buses back to the compound. Sunday night one of the guys asked his girlfriend to marry him. Not long after that we were having a time of singing when God sent crazy wind and rain. We had to go into the lower level and hide out for a while. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were hard working days. I painted a ceiling rafter on Monday...I don't like the unbalanced feeling on scaffolding. Tuesday and Wednesday took all my arm and back muscles while I dug a trench, mixed, wheel barrowed, and poured concrete. Tuesday it was just girls, but thankfully we were able to keep a few guys to help us on Wednesday. I got incredibly sunburned on Wednesday, but it's not so terrible now. We packed up our stuff Wednesday night and Thursday morning we headed out at 6am to cross back over into America. It ended up being quite easy to get back across. The return trip seemed to take forever, and I was very ready to get off the bus. We finally got back to the CCF house Friday morning...and it was a bitter-sweet return. I was very happy about getting off the bus, but I was sad about leaving the company that we had. I really loved hanging out with the people we travelled with. Andy and I got home around 10am on Friday morning, and I suppose we start back with our mundane work week Monday. It was a great trip, and I met some wonderful people. I am happy to be back at home where I can flush my toilet paper, live with air conditioning, drink water with ice, and get out of the shower without immediately sweating -but, I loved my Mexico experience.


Andy & Me at the Sunday service


Andy playing soccer with some of the kids



the compound where we stayed



Me, Jess, Autumn

Summer is here...almost

I think that technically Summer begins June 21, but since school is almost out (they have four more days), AWANA is over, and June is quickly approaching...I can say that Summer is here. I don't necessarily think of it as a season so much as a specific time of year. Maybe that's contradictory, but Summer is associated with no school, warm weather, and trips. I think we've got those three areas covered.

Tonight was AWANA awards night. I somehow end up taking on projects that I decide need to happen. I hope that the girls had as much fun as I did. Yesterday we did our service project and visited 6 elderly people, mostly in nursing homes. I think that it was the first time any of them had done anything like that...I hope that it was eye-opening and that they gained something from it. We had a little graduation party afterwards, and I think that went okay as well. Today I finished making little bags that were their end-of-the-year gifts. With candy, lip gloss, sidewalk chalk, and a marker I think they're ready for anything :) Some of the girls graduate into the junior high class. I'm a little sad about that, but I suppose you have to say good-bye sometime.

As far as I am spiritually, I really think that God is teaching me to trust. I feel more at peace now than I remember ever feeling, even though I know that I have no control at all. I've never been really good at the whole trusting thing. (the trust fall...didn't happen...I couldn't do it.) So, what I really love is that I feel that I can really minister to the girls I'm teaching and at the same time be open and receptive to learning my own lessons that God is teaching me. I love that I can teach and grow at the same time, and I'm really glad that God has it set up to work that way.

Finally, Jonathan is 23. It's strange that we're both much older than I ever remember that I've imagined us being. I think in my mind I've always kept us invisioned as high-schoolers. Now he even has a little baby, and it's just kind of weird. Weird, but cool. So, Happy Birthday bubby :)

Summer is here...almost

What's up...

Our porch swing!!! We've been waiting and thinking for quite a long time how to hang the porch swing. It seems like a fairly simple task until you take a look in our attic. The way the joists are crossing and all that made it difficult to find a way to safely secure the swing. The actual project didn't take that long once we figured out what we needed and got started. Now, we can swing happily on our porch at all ours of the day. We love it. :)

Tomorrow we're hosting 3 girls from Cedarville University. They are doing a singing performance at church. Andy and I both have to work unfortunately, so the girls will have to find their way around the house. I'm a little sad that I can't be here to greet them, but I suppose it'll be okay.

Niah seems to be growing well. Jon sent me pictures from recently, and she already looks quite a lot different than when I first met her. I'll be excited to see her again. Hopefully, when I see her she will be able to play with me some more.

Also, the Awana girls seem excited about their upcoming "service project party". I'm excited about it. I had some quality time with them tonight when we rolled down the hill outside to see who could get to the bottom first. I won the first time :) The second time one of the girls rolled on top of me, so I never quite made it to the bottom. I also found out that my skin doesn't like grass too much. I really liked rolling down the hill though. It was lots of fun.

So, I guess that's about it. I'm still looking and praying for the job that God wants me to have and that I'm happy with wherever He wants me. The second part is much harder than the first.

Oh, and one more thing. I love my fish. He's very funny. Today we had an episode where he actually jumped OUT of the tank onto the fireplace area...he was flipping and flopping so much that I thought he was dead for sure. I finally got him back in the tank. He was really dirty from the dust on the fireplace and I thought that he had permanently damaged one of his fins, but tonight he seems to be swimming well. I'm glad because I really like having him around.

p.s. happiest of birthdays aaron and carey :)

Just an update

Things have been going okay. Nothing too extraordinary to report. Andy and I were able to take a trip to St. Louis last Saturday to visit Archiver's. It was fun. We also got to see Barb and Grandma and took a little drive to Ted Drewes. This week has just been the normal work week. Tonight was AWANA. I'd talked last week about being a servant and how Jesus showed us an example of being a servant. In May I'm taking the girls to visit several elderly people in the church and I explained that it's just a way to serve. I talked to Dad earlier today to see if he had any other thoughts about serving people in the Bible that I could use for this week. He gave the example of Dorcas. So, I grabbed some "Bible clothes" from the church stash and cut out several small dresses. I told the story of Dorcas...up to how she died. I didn't finish the story and I challenged them to read it on their own. I think that I'll give them a little something if they actually follow through. Anyway, we made magnets with the small dresses to help remind them of ways to serve. I also read them Matthew 25:35 where it talks about feeding the hungry and visiting the sick. I hope that it sticks that they're able to remember it.

Happy Birthday

Saturday was my birthday. Mom and Dad came for a visit Thursday night and stayed until Saturday. It was wonderful just having them here. I miss my family so much. Jonathan wrote a tribute to me on his blog that made me cry. But if you read the part about hitting someone...well, it's true, but it's the only time I remember ever doing anything like that. I believe that he does clarify that it's "not typical Amanda behavior." It rained on my birthday, as it does almost every year. I believe that in Anderson they received some snow...not here though.

Andy and I have been enjoying a wonderful turtle cake that my Mom made for me. It's so yummy...and it tastes really good with ice cream.

Also, I got a fish on my birthday. He's a Tiger Oscar, and his name is Chicken. He's been spending most of his time pouting on the bottom of the tank. Andy and I looked through the window last night though and saw that he was swimming around quite happily...then, we walked in the door and he dashes down to the corner to hide and pout again. I think we should have named him "Oscar the grouch" instead...and if he keeps it up, I just might change his name.

Anyway, it was a lovely birthday. Thanks to everyone who called, sang, and sent happy birthday wishes.

Today was a beautiful day as well. I sat on the porch for a short time just enjoying the sunshine and reading through the mail. I'm very disappointed that I have to go to work tonight...I'm dreading what's to come and the fact that I have to be awake all night long. I'm working on getting happy.

Back Again

Alright, so I'm finally posting something again. Andy and I just got back from Belmont late last night, and two nights ago we returned home after our trip to England. It was fun but fast. Andy really enjoyed using all the public transportation, and I... I think that I just enjoyed being somewhere else and not having to go to the hospital. We did make it there and back safely, and we are very thankful for that.

It was great to see the family yesterday. We love just being with our family...I wonder if we would still appreciate it as much if we saw them more often. Carey was definately missed as was Cathy. It seems like a Carey hug is so far away, and I just suddenly got the longing for a sisterly hug. It was freezing cold outside yesterday, but the egg and basket hunt continued. Andy and I got some nifty items in our little basket. I was more excited about most of them than he was, but it was fun following the clues all the same.

So, tomorrow starts the beginning of a new week. I'm not sure what all is in our future right now, but somehow I feel fairly content with whatever it may be. Perhaps I'll really get going on a new job hunt. I'm not sure really how much longer I can stay at the hospital and remain sane.

I hope that everyone has a lovely Easter...and I hope that you all remember to thank God for his daily blessings as well as the big things (like eternal life) that we can't even fathom.

Much love, Amanda

Late night drive

So Andy and I took a late night drive Saturday night. We took some back roads and it was fun to just investigate. I also saw a lot of wildlife that I'd never seen before -at least not alive. It was lots of fun just to laugh together at all the craziness. First, (because I'm excited about it) let me list all the animals I saw. It was pretty much everything from Bambi. We saw more than 10 deer, several rabbits, 2 skunks (alive, running on the road), and a opossum (not playing dead). There may have been more, but that's what I can remember. No moose though :( I'd never seen skunks just running around on the road or so many deer just standing in the middle of the road. I love just driving (or in this case riding) around in the country. Also, since it was such a clear night and we were in the country the stars seemed to twinkle a little brighter. It was all so beautiful and exciting. I was happy to share it with Andy.

Also, when I got back from our little wildlife adventure, I spoke to Gwyn. We used skype, and it was the first time I've talked her and actually heard her voice since she went back to China in July. That was a fun experience and I'm looking forward to more conversations. This could be fun! :) It still just blows my mind that I can hear her voice through the computer when she's a million miles away, and it's just as if she were on the other side of town.

Anyway, I suppose that I could blog about lots of other stuff. It's a great outlet for your feelings, thoughts, and emotions. But, I think I'm done. I'm sure I'll keep you posted on my upcoming adventures.

Keeping Busy

Well, Andy and I got back home on Monday. Mom and Dad spent the night on their way home. It was great to hold Niah. She's adorable and she loves me already. Jon and Kris are crazy tired, but I know that they're happy to have Niah here with them.

Since Andy and I have been home, we've been keeping busy. I worked Tuesday and Wednesday night and he's had training for a new system at work. So, we're both excited to see each other this weekend and spend time together.

Anyway, so that's about it for us. Here's a picture of Niah with her favorite aunt. :)

A New Addition

I don't know if she's actually considered "new" since we've been awaiting her arrival for several months now. But finally, after 20 hours of laboring her mother, Hana Niah was born.

8:03 a.m. CST on 6 Mar 2007 weighing 7 lbs 4 ozs


I'm really excited, really I am. But, I also feel this deep sense of loss...like something really significant happened and I missed it. I feel like it's a big party with all my family except I don't get to be there. (I know, Timothy isn't there either.) The nurses might be thinking "how many more people are going to show up?" So it's okay. I get to go see Jon, Kris and Niah soon. As an added bonus, Mom and Dad will still be in town, too. But right now, for this little moment, I feel sad and a little disappointed that I don't get to meet her today.

Oh, the usual

So, things are continuing as they usually do. This week seems like it's been long and kind of busy. The weather has been wonderful -absolutely beautiful. Andy described the happy feelings perfectly when he said, "it feels like we just got out of school early on a half-day and we have extra time..." I'm not sure that we really have extra time, we've had stuff everyday to keep us busy this week. Today we were anxiously awaiting the visit of Andy's grandmother. She was scheduled to come and visit the last Thursday of February...after a few hours Andy finally called. She's not coming today... :) Oops...so, we'll see if she's coming next week.

Then, we got a lovely call from Aunt Pat, and I think that I'll probably be able to see both of the Storys next weekend. Next Sunday the teens are supposed to be here for their ACF night, and I'm going to start discipling soon. This afternoon I'm picking up Lauren from basketball practice since her parents are going to be at her brother's honor society induction. Yesterday she and Krissy were here, and Andy had set up the camera so we could play with it. They did a lot of jumping and posing...it was interesting.