A Penguin Dedication

Winter really brings out the penguinosity in commercialism. I loved penguins before everyone else went crazy about them, and I'm sometimes sad that everyone else fell in love with my animal. I love penguins, and I love them year round. I was trying to think of all the reasons why and here are a few that I've come up with in no particular order...

1. Penguins are birds, yet they can't fly. In a way, I think this makes them an outcast of their own kind. It kind of reminds me of myself when I feel I don't fit in, or perhaps the real, true Christians that are the same but quite different from other humans. I appreciate this difference in the penguins.

2. They are absolutely adorable. The way they walk, the sounds they make...the way they randomly decide it's probably going to be better to stop walking and just slide the rest of the way on my belly. It cracks me up, and I love that they have such personality.

3. They look hugable. I really really want to hug a penguin. So far, I've only hugged stuffed penguins (the fabricated ones, of course), but I really want to just hug a penguin.

4. I appreciate their morals. They are one of the few animals that chooses a partner and sticks with them through very difficult times. Some humans don't even do that.

5. I love how they have fun swimming. They don't just dive, but they spiral down into the water like it's the best thing ever.

6. Their responsibility toward their family. For some reason, it seems like they are quite self-sacrificing. If during the winter they go to get food, they return to share it or to trade places with their partner. So, although they have fun swimming and socializing, they are very responsible creatures.

7. Their methods of teamwork might put us to shame. It seems that teamwork is required for everything they do -surviving the winter, caring for the egg, feeding the chick, getting to the ocean.

8. I love that God made them so beautiful. At first it may seem that they are dull with only black and white while other birds have many colors, but penguins are beautiful...I wonder how God ever thought to create them.

9. I like that they are short...with nearly no leg at all. I feel connected to all things short, so of course, this includes the penguins.

10. I love the peguin waddle...and some day I hope I can waddle as well as a penguin does!

Baby J

A baby on the way

Well, I can say that I'm excited...but also quite anxious. On October 24th I took a home pregnancy test that was positive. When I realized that it wasn't negative like it had been many times before my heart did a little jump inside and then instant panic set in. I took the test over my lunch break, and I kept my secret from everyone (trying to absorb what it really meant) until about 8:30 that night when Andy came home. He thought I was trying to play with his mind...but he was really more excited than I was. We then kept our little secret for quite sometime. We finally told our parents after a very long Thanksgiving weekend. At lunch on Sunday afternoon I handed each mother a Thanksgiving card with a picture of the ultrasound. Watching their reaction was really great, but so far the most amazing thing was the ultrasound itself. Somehow, being able to see a tiny human-like being moving and jumping inside of me seems amazing. Thankfully, Andy was with me as we saw and heard our baby's heart beating...you could see the muscle contracting as the little fetus moved around. It really seems unreal to me. I don't really look different, and besides being hungry all the time I don't really feel different. Sometimes I think this is a very mean dream I'm dreaming or that they tricked me with the ultrasound somehow. The sutle changes are reassurring that things are going as they should, and I'm quite grateful that I haven't been as sick as some. I have no idea how to express my emotions or even tell you how grateful I am that God has given us a child -something we had been praying about for a while. So, please keep praying for all three of us and I'll keep you posted.

Pancake Love

Andy didn't have to be at work this Saturday until 11:00am. (He's recently been gone 8am-8pm on Saturdays.) We woke up happy to be in the warm covers and hungry for something to eat. He headed to the kitchen to make something for me. The outcome was very delicious pancakes...and even more special than that -heart shaped pancakes. It's absolutely fantastic to be so loved.

A Trip To The Zoo

This week was our church's annual mission conference/celebration. We had 4 different families serving in various countries (Ireland, Trinidad, Tanzania, Bolivia) come and present their work and hang out with us for 5 days. It's been interesting. On Saturday they had special things planned for the families: spa for the wives, shopping for the teens, zoo for the little kids, and golfing for the men. They asked me if I would help with the kids at the zoo. I'd never been to our local zoo, and kids are mostly fun so I agreed. I ended up with 4 kids in my car. Our zoo here is small, but the kids loved it! I think that they all agreed that the giraffes and zebras were the best part. Tonight we ended with a harvest party, and I really enjoyed the time I spent talking around a campfire with one of missionaries (who is also a nurse) about how they got to be where they are. Andy and I are excited to see how God will use us wherever we are!

It Grows...

On October 4th I had this bright idea that I would go back to the girl that had cut my hair earlier in the year. The shop has appointment availability but also walkins. Last time I walked in and it turned out great, so this time I was ready with a picture and away I went. When I got there I found that the girl who had cut my hair before no longer worked there and was living in Illinois. I was a little disappointed, but thought "I have a picture"... It didn't turn out anything like what I'd wanted. The lady literally chopped off my hair "because it's so thick" and because "it'll be easier to work with." Well, it was disappointing but everyone around me seems to think it's okay. In the last couple of weeks it has grown at least 1/2 an inch, and I like it a lot better... That's the redeeming thing about a bad hair cut...at least it grows, and thankfully my grows quickly.

p.s. if anybody has a great idea about how I might cut my hair, send me a picture and I might give it a try :)

And not a picture to prove it...

Well, Andy and I had the opportunity to attend yet another Rowden Reunion. I feel like every year there are fewer and fewer people that I know - not that I knew a lot of people to begin with, but my small group of acquaintances is dwindling, it seems. So, mostly the anticipation of a roadtrip adventure is what makes the reunion so exciting for me. That, and Ted Drewes. This year I believe was the first year that we attended and left without a picture to prove our presence. I keep saying that Andy and I should move to St. Louis. It seems like a fun town, and they have penguins I can see for free. (In the zoo, of course.) I doubt that we'll actually make any crazy move like that without more motivation than "it would be fun", but it would be slightly closer to Jonathan and Kristine, only 30 more minutes to Anderson, and perhaps an overall more exciting place to live. Who knows where God will send us, or if He prefers us to remain in Evansville to make an impact.

Our jobs are jobs. Nothing wonderful, nothing horrid. Our schedules still don't match up...but if I'm honest, I have to say that I prefer this schedule. I get all my free time with Andy on Monday and Tuesday, and a couple of alone hours each evening before he comes home the rest of the week. The only downside is Saturday. When he works all day long, it leaves me scrambling to plan things so I'm not bored, and I'm sometimes wishing he was off so we could do something together (movies, dinner, plays, geocaching, etc.) Perhaps if I had Mondays off, it would be fantastic :)

So, that's a little update -a little late, too...but an update nonetheless.

Something to Blog about

I'm sure that there is something that I should blog about. I feel like I've been really kind of busy, but I'm not sure what's been going on. A random list I created of my activities to inform you that I indeed do live.

-drove to Anderson for the surprise anniversary party
-drove home in a storm
-came home to no electricity
-had no power from Sunday- Friday night
-visited the library several times
-ate out every night since there was no power
-watched Amazing Grace on the laptop
-attempted to play tennis
-i can barely walk...(due to the tennis attempt)
-have my first theology test tuesday
-awana parent night this wednesday
-work is work...not great, but not terrible.
-updated church clerk spreadsheets
-reading desiring God

maybe some other stuff too...this weekend, the rowden reunion.

When Life's Not Fair - Don't forget to pray

For as long as I can remember my dad has been telling me that life's not fair. It was a common phrase in our home. The other thing that he really emphasized is that God is in control and prayer to the Almighty is both important and helpful. To be honest, I think that my prayer life was more...alive, perhaps, when I was working at the hospital. I would always take a nap before my shift, wake up, read my Bible, and then I would quite literally beg God to help me make it through the next 8-12 hours. This usually invovled tears. Recently I was thinking of how the time I set aside to spcifically pray to God seems to have dwindled quite a lot since He has blessed me with a better job. So, I've been trying really hard to make sure I pray - not just through the day, but on purpose pray about everything I can think of. This week we found out they were changing Andy's schedule. He had been working Monday-Friday 8-5. Normal people hours. His new hours are Wednesday-Saturday 8-8. Eugh. I have to say I was quite disappointed about not having Saturdays together -and since we have some things already scheduled (An Awana conference, Rowden Reunion) I was a bit disheartened. I remember though on Thursday night I said the prayer before we ate supper...and I prayed that God would do what He wanted and work things out the way He wanted. I have to say that for the first time in a while, I felt that I could completely trust God and that I would perhaps be disappointed but quite alright with whatever happened. I wish I was more eloquent in writing so you could understand the peace, but it was a great feeling to know I was putting my concerns in God's hands...and to just trust. Andy has since worked things out - by that I don't mean he gets Saturdays off. He is going to have to work some 12 hour night shifts, but we do get our Saturdays together for the month of September. I am thankful for that, and I hope that God keeps growing in me this ability trust Him more.

Mad Day 2008 - The Windy City

Well, we're back. A trip to the big city of Chicago was pretty fun. I think we were all happy to be together and a little sad to leave. We've all been friends since 2002 - it all started with a nursing home clinical, ideas to carpool, and a papa john's pizza in the park. It's interesting to see each year how things have changed, how life has taken us in many different directions. Doris is going back to school to obtain her master's degree -debt free. Mary has taken more medical mission trips than I can count. Somehow no matter how much has changed we are easily able to revert back to living together and talking about whatever is on our heart. I hope we stay friends forever and love each other always.

MAD Day

It's time to celebrate the 5th annual MAD day! (This is the closest we've ever come to meeting on the actual MAD day.) I'm excited to see what my girls have been up to and have some time to just get away from the mundane routine that I get stuck in. I'll let you know later what fun and exciting things we do!

finally

I have to admit that I'm just like every other girl in America when it comes to the Olympics. My favorite thing to watch in the summer is gymnastics and it's figure skating in the winter. In years past I remember just really wanting great things to happen for the American team -you know, team spirit! This year though, I really was hoping that Shawn Johnson -the cute chipmunk girl- would really win a gold medal. I think she's really great, and I love her spirit. (nothing against Nastia, who is beautiful...) Finally, though...finally she won a gold medal, and I feel so happy for her accomplishment. It's great to see her chipmunk smile!

over the weekend

Saturday was a fun day -we did several things, but didn't plan any of them...

1. bought a new chair and couch. they are pretty :)
2. ate chinese food -yes, again
3. watched a soccer game
4. celebrated with pizza
5. did some geocaching (it was nearly dark though)
6. watched Prince Caspian (I'm glad Andy and I read the books)
7. had the hamby girls spend the night
8. threw eggs at each other (okay, so they were plastic...)

08-08-08

Celebrate the Olympics...with cake and ice cream, of course :)

3rd Anniversary Dinner

A picture of us at one of our favorite restaurants...before the food :)
Our really yummy food, and a picture of Lolo, our perpetual server.

I ate way too much, but I liked it a lot. Andy and I were both a little sad when we realized that we'd eaten our "strawberry cream delight" before we took a picture. It is amazingly good as well. It tastes a little like cheesecake but not quite as rich.

Things I did this week...

1. Four course Chinese dinner (absolutely fantastic!)
2. Went bat hunting with Andy
3. Interviewed for a job (which I didn't get, but I'm pretty happy anyway.)
4. Made sure Andy had enough money to use public transportation (our car was in the shop.)
5. Killed a fly bear-handed with one swipe
6. Walked to a local Mexican restaurant for supper
7. Shared a nice Thai meal with my husband (eggrolls with plum sauce...mmm)
8. Lost windows on our computer...now using Ubuntu :)
9. Agreed to pay for a showing of Wicked in Chicago
10. Took the lawn-mower to be serviced
11. Had my eyes examined and picked out new glasses
12. Started thinking/planning for the new Awana year
13. Did a short photo-shoot with Andy
14. Painted my toe-nails sparkly pink
15. Got bitten several times in various places by multiple mosquitoes
16. Read two Heartsong books
17. Found another favorite chapter in the Bible (Isaiah 12)
18. Bible study with a junior high church girl
19. Got hugged by a two year old :)
20. Laughed, cried, and prayed with Andy
...and maybe a few other things.

Happy Anniversary

It's hard to believe that it's been 4 years since my little brother got married to that wonderful girl he finally found randomly at the World Pulse Festival...but things have worked out quite wonderfully, and they love each other bunches. It's great to see how much love their little family has, and I'm praying that God will continue to bless them. Much love Jon and Kris...remember life before marriage? How funny :)

Family Fun...

Andy and I went to the Taylor/Fuller wedding this past weekend. He took the pictures, because that's what he does. We were mostly happy to see our family. It was really good to have them around and happy...just catching up on what every one is doing. We saw Carey,Chris, and Aaron. I met Marlow for the very first time...he was excited to see me at first but then became a little more stand-offish.

We're anxiously waiting for the last weekend of July where we'll head up to Anderson for another wedding and picture-taking session. The good part is hugging and talking with our families...the bad part is how quick the trip will be.

a hint of sad

Andy is nearing the end of his time at WFIE and I feel this sense of sadness. It's very much like that feeling that you get with graduations - how you know that things are changing, a new chapter of your life is starting...and although you're happy to be moving on you're a little sad to say good-bye to things. I'm not sure that Andy shares my feelings, but I really feel like this is time passing by and we've got to capture and celebrate everything. Last night was his last night to be on call. There are only 2 more days that he'll spend at the station. I keep thinking about my last tour of the station, my last time to see him drive the live truck or meet him on location. My last time to watch tv and feel proud that I can tell which video is his. Now, we'll have to get our news like everyone else. I wonder if Andy will still know everyone in town, or if we'll feel like we're lost in this city. I only have 2 more days that we can "do lunch". I feel that there are so many lasts and so many changes. I feel like crying even though I doubt that I can explain my happiness at our chance to be a "normal" couple that does evening things, sleeps at night, and spends weekends with each other and friends.

WC Handy Festival

Andy and I were looking for something fun to do today. This weekend (or actually, I think it was this week) the WC Handy Festival was happening in Henderson. The only time that I can remember really going to a festival or fair and eating something is a few years ago at the Toad Suck Festival in Conway. Today though we went with the intent on eating barbeque from a vendor and listening to the live blues bands. We were a little disappointed to see that the festival was slightly smaller (less vendors and such) as it had been in the past, but we easily found a barbeque stand. We both enjoyed some pulled pork sandwiches and sweet tea. There was a park bench in the park facing the Ohio River, so we sat eating our lunches and listening. I also tried to catch a lot of cotton flying from the cottonwood trees. It was fun just having a lazyish day and hanging out. This morning I even finished reading a book -something I really enjoy but haven't had quite enough time to do recently. I'm excited about Andy having "normal" hours and the possibility of us being able to do fun things in the evenings like other people. Something to look forward to, I suppose.

life is unpredictable

The news that Tim Russert has died really makes me sad. I've never been
a big political person, overly concerned with all aspects of everything. I do however remember watching presidential races (and other higher-profile policial decisions) while Tim used his dry erase board to explain things in a way which I could understand. I was able to see how important each state was in a way that my history and government teachers somehow couldn't get across to me. The part of my heart that breaks each time someone dies that I liked from afar but never really knew is -they seemed like a great person, but now what. They're dead -where did they go? Apparently, he was a 'devout Catholic'. Catholics are great people (usually), but my heart aches for their souls. I wonder if they ever really knew the truth and if they were so misguided by the words of the priests and so dependent on the sacrements that they miss actually letting Jesus save them. Life is short and unpredictable...I just hope that I can use my time to make an eternal difference in the lives of people around me. I feel very contemplative and a little sad about the whole thing...and yet, there's nothing I can do about what's already happened.

A Vacation

Our vacation is over, but it was great fun. Just time in the car...talking about all things past, present, and future. It was fairly relaxing with it's share of adventures. The free time was just what I needed. I always come home from vacation wishing for more time. Going to work this morning wasn't too bad, but it would have been great to just have another couple of days back without going to work. Our adventures took us as far north as Wisconsin (where we survived a tumultuous thunderstorm in our little tent). We also visited Missouri, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and back to Indiana. Our exciting highlights include getting "kicked-out" of our tent by a park ranger, hiking a very slippery mountain in flip-flops, watching a huge branch fall and break an electrical line, meeting a very happy dairly farmer, finding Andy's wallet "safe and warm", wading in Lake Michigan, and fantastic sweet tea in Wisconsin. I wish everyone would have as much fun with their spouse as I have with mine. Now, to move on to the next phase of our lives...waiting for summer adventures and thinking of next year's vacation. If only we lived in England...they get a whole month of vacation, right? :)

Looking forward to the weekend

The thing about working a normal job is that I get normal holidays off work. One day isn't a lot, but I'm hoping that the slightly extended weekend is fun and relaxing. Andy and I don't have plans but we do both have Monday off. I'm so ready to be away from Evansville so I don't have to think about any responsibilities. The rising cost of gas prices might have a little sway in our vacation plans (hopefully we'll get a vacation, which is a completely separate topic). Last weekend though Andy took engagement photos for a couple, and on the way home we stopped by a state park where I got to play on the playground. It was fun, relaxing and a glimpse of what we might have if vacation time ever arrives. I'm excited about summer weather. I'm sure I'll be singing a different tune whenever it's so hot I can barely breathe, but for now I'm happy about it. Summer is the beginning of everything (it seems) trips home for mother's day and father's day, the rowden reunion, multiple weddings, our anniversary, 4th of July, labor day...and on and on. Things that keep us busy until we ease into winter again and start over next year. Everyone was really right when they said time goes by more quickly the older you get. A seems to pass so much more quickly than I ever remember...they also say it flies when you're having fun, right? It must really go fast if you having fun and getting old :)

what i've been up to

Jonathan's graduation...we got to see family. Andy was here at home alone, but everyone was excited for Jon that he was finished and moving on to a great youth pastor position in Arkansas. Niah was wonderful...I hope that someday Andy and I can have kids as sweet as she is. And, I'm certain that she loves me...and she really looks like me, too. :)

Monday was Florence Nightingale's birthday. She is considered the "mother of modern nursing". I had to read tons of things that she wrote about nursing, I went to the Nightingale Museum in London, England. Nurses week also happens near her birthday because of her impact on nursing. I had been trying to convince the nurses at the clinic to wear their nursing caps...I didn't think it would work out, but I went on Monday and there were a couple of them that came through. We took some pictures and then presented a scrapbook I made quickly last night at the nurses meeting this morning. It was a big laugh, and I liked it.

A bit of deep thinking

Living here in Evansville, it's hard to ignore all the political candidates, their views, and all the promises they make to all the people that will listen. Andy has gone into work early and stayed late because of it all, and has seen both democratic candidates and several members of their families. I feel he's seen more "celebrities" in the last week than the entire rest of the time I've lived in Evansville.

The thing about it though, is that none of the candidates are very appealing to me. They all somehow disappoint me in the moral views. I don't know what I'll do when election day comes...hopefully I'll be able to decide who I think really is the best candidate. While all this is going on, I ran across a quote from Confucius. The quote says, "The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home." Wow. There's no doubt that the homes in America have deteriorated in moral standards, time families spend together, and time spent talking about God (unless of course they're using His name in vain). I think Confucius was right...and how could I expect the strength of our nation or the integrity of it's leaders to be any better than the majority of families. Our national leaders and our futures leaders really need God -just like the rest of our country. I suppose the best thing to do is pray that God will have mercy on our nation and guide the actions of those in charge. Who knew Confucius was so smart?

A Little Shaky

Our morning started out exciting, to say the least. At approximately 4:30 this morning, Andy and I woke up to a very shaky house. If you've never experienced it, it's quite an odd feeling to have the ground and all objects around you just shake. I've only experienced an earthquake one other time and that was a couple of years ago. This one lasted what seemed like forever...I think it was about 40 seconds. We got up out of bed and were confused about earthquake safety protocol. Our dishes were rattling and the earth continued to shake. It was finally over and we investigated for damage. Our house is fine, our dishes are fine, we are fine. We immediately got on the internet to find earthquake safety protocol and then looked to see what the richter scale showed: 5.2 there were at least 6 aftershocks, the biggest of which measured 4.5. So, life's a little shaky now, but we're getting through it.

live news during the earthquake

My Happy Birthday

I arrived at work fairly happy about the cupcake and candle that Andy had given me this morning (along with the 'happy birthday' song). When I got to my desk at work I found a large chocolate cake -with homemade frosting-, a gift, and a card signed by my co-workers. It was really wonderful. Even Dr. Ed wrote something nice...I found out later he was really proud of what he came up with, and I think it's good advice.

For those who can't read the doctor's handwriting:
"These intervals between birthdays will start to get shorter -seems like it. But savor them for they're finite." ~Dr. Ed

The love from the whole group was wonderful, and my lunch date with Andy was absolutely lovely and just fun. I can't believe how blessed I am with all I have. I remain in awe of God's goodness.

Homeward Bound

so, I've been training (if that's what you call it) for 2 months for a 5k run that was supposed to happen in Vincennes today. It was called "Just for the Health of It". A good goal, and I had bettered my time so that I would come in some where in the middle of all the people...not last. But then, this week they announced and requested that the ECHO employees participate in a 5k run/walk for homelessness. I mentioned it to Andy and let him know that it was the same day as the one in Vincennes. His thought was that I should participate in the Homeward Bound 5k since it was in town and benefiting people in our community. So, we solicited family and co-workers, and then headed off today. I was concerned about showing up since yesterday was a sick-day for me from work. My manager did come, but she just laughed at me for showing up. It was freezing cold...the wind-chill making temperatures somewhere in the 30's. (They are forcasting snow showers this evening.) So, I got my t-shirt, and was prepared to run. I noticed only after the "thank-you for coming, let's walk to stop homelessness" comment, that most people were planning to walk. There were a few people running -but they weren't part of the group. So, I walked...I'd been working on walking speed too since I knew that I couldn't run the entire 5k. So, I ended up near the front of the group. There were some boys that really wanted to race, so at the end I raced them to the end. I came in 3rd overall, but it wasn't a really motivated walking or running group. My time was good, but I don't think they were completely accurate in the distance. Who knows? It was mostly fun (except for freezing) and I'm sure I'll do it again sometime :) --oh, and there was this one part where I did this amazing "jump over the dog" trick while running. I'm sure people will be laughing about it for quite some time.

icky, but loved

so, I have an illness that I can't deny. My throat is sore, my head hurts, my ears hurt, my eyes hurt, I have a nasty sounding cough, and I have no voice. I think I've been fighting it since Sunday, but yesterday it really started getting the better of me. I love that at work they care so much about me. I called in today (thankfully I've been there long enough to have some paid sick-days). This afternoon one of the nurses called to ask me what I was allergic to and then what medicine I wanted. Dr. Ed was worried about me after hearing my cough...he wants to prevent it from becoming worse. I feel much more cared about at the ECHO clinic than I ever did at the hospital. It seemed at the hospital they wanted me to come to work if I was dying and did very little to aid in getting me better. It just makes me love my job and the people that I work with even more. I hope that I'm not sick all weekend long, but at least it would be a good time to rest up. I'm loving the spring temperature and the feeling that bright and shiny things are on the way. My scrapbooking and furniture dreaming has begun again, and I'm excited about color. I'm also excited about chicken sandwiches and datenight with my husband :)

Exciting Fatigue

I feel so tired I almost wonder if there isn't something medically wrong with me, but I think it's just lack of good sleep and the busyness of life. I was blessed to have Good Friday off. I spent the day shopping to make Easter baskets for Andy's family. It was fun, and really just wonderful. The day was nice and sunny and I was doing something that I wanted to with very little time constraint.
Friday night I went to this fantastic Murder Mystery birthday party for an 11 year old girl. Their family is amazing, and absolutely lots of fun to be with. I was one of the 8 girls she invited. I played the part of the Maid...I appeared to be quite guilty, but in the end it was the limosine driver :)
Saturday morning we woke up quite early to drive to Belmont. We got there, did some scavenger hunts, and had fun eating and talking with everyone. We left about 8pm to come back to Evansville and then attended our church's Sonrise service. There was a small drama done to hopefully impact our thoughts of The Resurrection.
Monday started the week over at work. For some reason, this week seems awfully long and less than fun. Tuesday I was able to use my sign language with one of my patients which was really cool...I hope I get to do that more. And then today is only Wednesday. Saturday we head north...the main event is a wedding, but I'm mostly excited about seeing family. I'm also a little bummed that we'll have to leave so quickly...which I think will make for another tiring week. I must be becoming a real adult since I just want to hang out at home and clean... :) I miss our families and I just wish we could hang out for 3 or 4 days in Anderson. That would be great right now. So far, neither of us have vacation until August. That seems forever away.

What's more romantic than cookies?

I just thought that I should update with what I've been up to. I've only got one more class left with sign language...and for that class we have to go out (with the rest of the students and teacher) to a restaurant, order our food, and coverse with everyone using only sign language and no voice. Even when ordering our food. It's an interesting challenge, but I think it will be okay. It's kind of funny, because after sign class I find myself thinking in "sign".
Also, I'm only 3 weeks away from the end of my probationary period at work. Things seem to be going well, and I love the diversity of things that I see there. I actually think that I give more injections at the clinic than I did in the hospital...but I could be wrong. I love the people that I work with, and I hope that I keep loving the job.
Andy and I have been calling every moment that we have together "dates" since we don't have much time to spend together. This past weekend, we were blessed with a bit of a car ride together. We were in Bloomfield to celebrate Niah's first birthday. She's adorable, and she loves me...which is wonderful. It was great to see her eat cake for the first time and how her eyes just looked excited when she realized that her mom was going to let her dig in :)
It snowed again last week, and I (for one) hope that it's very near an end. It was cool to get snow days for work, but I'm ready for happy spring days to arrive. I think it's just around the corner, and my whole body is happy about it.

Happy Birthday -sign language style :)

just a little message for Morgan, and just a little bit of what I've been learning in my class. I only have 2 more weeks of class left. I feel like I've only just started really learning things. I'm not sure when or if they will offer a second class. I'm seriously considering sign choir...I think that might be more fun :)

Snowed In...

One of the things that I hated most about working at the hospital is that it never closes. So, if the weather is horrid, you still had to be there because people never stop being sick. It's a noble thing to do, but I love that difference in my new job. On Monday it started snowing, then sleeting, then freezing rain. By the time Tuesday morning rolled around we had about 4 inches of ICE to deal with. I had found out Monday night that the clinic was going to be closed, so I was thankful for that. Outside our house looked to be a mess. Ice was everywhere. Andy of course had to be at work in the afternoon, but it took a while to figure out how to get one of our two cars out of the mess...after lots of shoveling, pushing, pulling, and maneuvering we were successful. Finally, Andy drove backwards all the way down our road until he made it to one of the main roads. I waved good-bye from several feet away. Then, I started trying to shovel some more where the car was, but then branches started falling from trees. I was close to one of the trees that started breaking, and I thought it was a good idea to just go inside. Since walking was so difficult, I got to the end of our driveway, sat down and then slid down to the house. Since the entire ground was ice it was pretty easy, and probably safer. We've had several large limbs fall off trees near our house. The ice is just very thick on them. We are very thankful that although the power lines are also heavy with ice, they haven't fallen and we still have power. We'll have a lot to clean up with things finally warm up...whenever that will be. They are talking about more snow again this weekend. It's been kind of nice to have a couple of days off and not have to worry about getting out on the dangerous roads.

Just a few highlights

1. I still like my job. It's weird, it seems that the weeks go by faster. It's kind of sad, because I only see Andy 30 minutes/day, if that. This week has been less due to his responsibilities with the news.

2. Gwyn came down last Thursday to go to the WinterJam concert. I was a little sad that MercyMe wasn't there, but I really enjoyed Steven Curtis Chapman. It was awesome that I won a couple of tickets and that the weather wasn't as bad as they originally predicted. It was nice to see Gwyn, but I think we both decided that the music was just a little loud...

3. On Friday I was able to experience for the first time since high school a Snow Day! They closed the clinic due to weather, and the best part is that it was a paid day off. I'm sure that doesn't happen often, but it was kind of nice that it did.

4. Since I had Friday off, I tried to think of something special I could make for Andy to celebrate Groundhog Day. He loves the holiday. We woke up early to watch the live action, and the I surprised him with a celebratory cake :)

6.Karen Miller (a member/friend at church) had surgery and I was supposed to cook for her family tonight. They begged me not to cook anything, but instead to come over and talk to Karen because she was bored... So, I did. I was lots of fun, and they played one of my newfound favorite games "Apples to Apples".

So, we're keeping busy. I'm also taking a sign language class on Mondays. I think that it's going well. I'm hoping for a fun and restful weekend. We have plans for Saturday night and of course church on Sunday.

I think this is where Jesus would be...

I haven't been at my new job for very long, and I seem to be exhausted when I return home. The clinic is incredibly busy with so many people who have so little, and it's so eye-opening to realize there are so many people in our town who need so much. I never knew.
Today I had the opportunity to go with our outreach team. We went to one of the local shelters and a local soup kitchen. I saw all kinds of people with lots of problems (mostly hypertension, diabetes, and colds). These people were alcoholics, ex-convicts, and even prostitutes. At one point I felt like I just wanted to cry while I was taking some one's blood pressure just because I could see the hopelessness in their eyes. They have to hate that this is their one and only life and things haven't turned out how they had hoped or dreamed. As the lunch crowd started filling in the shelter I imagined that if Jesus were in Evansville, I think these would be the people that he'd be hanging out with. No wonder the Pharisees criticized him...these people are rough, the lowest of the public population hierarchy, but there is no doubt that they are the ones that need more hope than anyone. It's funny, I find it hard to imagine Jesus in a suit and tie at a pastor's conference. (not to say He wouldn't do that, it's just hard for me to imagine.)
So, this job is definitely exhausting but incredibly rewarding. I love it, and I'm just praying that I can really make a difference in their lives.

Life Happens...sometimes it's good, and sometimes it's rough

So, it's the first day of 2008. No official resolutions have been made, but I of course hope to do some things that I've never done and to do some things better than I've ever done. Today I started my new job. It's new, interesting, and overwhelming to go through all this paperwork and orientation again. I'm excited though, and I plan to keep the blog updated :)

We did go to Arkansas and celebrated Christmas with our family there. It was the first time since Father's Day 2006 since my whole family has been together, and that was before Niah had been thought of. So, we of course got pictures. Niah is a blast. She's so funny and much more interactive than the last time I saw her. She's adorable and sweet and loves people. Maybe I'm just dreaming, but I think that she has a lot of my personality -though more laid back. We'll just see what she's like as she grows up. I can't wait until she's old enough to come and visit me and Andy. We'll have a blast together, I know it.

Right before we left for Arkansas we purchased a new car. I love it. It's amazing, and I love driving it. We hear from others that we got a good deal, and we're hoping that it lasts forever...or at least 15 years :) I was wondering though, in 15 years will we even be using gas in our cars?

Tonight I think that I feel a little melancholic...just thinking about life. At church we are praying for a woman who just fought breast cancer and survived, only to find out today her husband was found dead in his semi-truck. I keep thinking of all the men and women fighting for our freedom and how proud they must be, how scared they must be, and how much they must want to just be home having to make a late night wal-mart run -but they some will never make it home, and they know that. A couple of my friends in Anderson had their house burn down on the 1 year wedding anniversary. I just keep thinking about how random and ironic and nearly depressing life really is, but I feel comforted with the thought that I feel less like death is a horrible ending. It's tough to live without the people that you love, but I know that this year my faith has grown because I can feel myself trusting God more. I don't really know how it happened, but I hope that I can trust God more this year than ever before.