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?