-this could get mushy :)

so, I was reading a blog that's linked to Timothy's website...a girl that lives in Michigan. On her blog she posted this poem: (slightly revised, original by 'little_princess')

"I want a boy who will hold my hand in line at the mall and make all the girls jealous. A boy who thinks I'm b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l. A boy who will sing to me at random moments. Who lets me sleep on his chest. I want a guy who will tell his mother I have beautiful eyes, a guy who will bring me orange juice when I'm sick, who writes songs about me because he doesn't know any other way to tell me how he feels. I want a boy who is more goofy than romantic, but knows the right things to say at the right times. I want a boy who will call me 3 times a day if he went away. A boy who will apologize for calling too much, and no matter how many times I tell him its okay, he'd still do it. A boy who will throw stuffed animals at me when I'm acting dumb. I want a boy who will bet kisses on who could beat who on a game. Who makes fun of me just to make me laugh. A boy who will surprise me with 25 cent ring and we could have contest of how far we can spit our gum. Who will take me to the park, put his hands around my waist and give me big bear hugs all the time. I want a boy who, at night, who will dance in his pajamas with me. A boy who will take pictures in photo booths with me, someone who will never turn down a trip to the lake and who will play tag on the beach with me. Who will tell all his friends about me and smile when he does it. A boy who could sit with me on the kitchen floor and eat sandwiches. I want a boy who will run his fingers through my hair, share his lollipops with me, and get along with all of my friends. Someone who would never be afraid to say I love you in front of his friends. Someone who will kiss me at midnight on New Years and who will make funny faces at me when I'm on the phone. I want a boy who will count stars with me and be friends with my family. I want a boy who will stay home with me on a Friday night just to help me make dinner and watch movies together under the same blanket. Someone who will squirt water guns at me in the house after I've got him soaked. I want a boy who looks me the eye and tell me something serious, that was also funny and makes me promise not to laugh. A boy who could make me laugh like no one else can. I want a boy who will hold me closer than normal when I'm sick, and would play with my hair. But mostly I want a boy who is my best friend and will always be there for me."

I read that, realized that this was someone's "dream guy" and then smiled and almost cried to know that is my husband.

the weekend...and very sleepless nights

So, it seems that I've only been able to sleep for about 4 hours (or so) at a time for at least a week. It's mostly just annoying, but I'm not sure why the sudden change. I can usually go back to sleep later in the day for about the same amount of time...but that's not very conducive to living in the daytime. Anyway, enough about that...surely my sleeping schedule will figure itself out soon.

So, this weekend I did get to go to Courtney's horse riding competition...very interesting. I'm sure that it's kind of nerve racking actually competing, but it seems kind of low stress. They were only competing against 3-4 other people and they followed commands that were given to them. The horses were really beautiful and tthere were some kids that were really really little riding really big horses. They were cute. Courtney won first place in both of her categories...so that's good. Church went well on Sunday, and AWANA was of course fun. The AWANA carnival is next week...that should be interesting and probably exciting too. Oh, and I found out that I've just been "connected" and I get to start discipleship with Julie G. I'm kind of excited about that -that, and the women's Bible study that they just started at church. And a little excited about Bolivia too. Anyway, so my tummy's growling at me...I suppose I'll try to eat something and then see if I can sleep -I'm supposed to work tonight, so it'd be good if I could stay awake while I'm there...
(1) Krissy and me
(2) a really little girl on a really big horse
(3) Courtney is 3rd from the left
(4) Julie G. (Courtney's mom) and my "connection"

Happy February!

Well, one whole month already gone from our new year. And since this month is shorter, I wonder if that means that it will fly by even faster. Today is the ever-popular Groundhog Day. I haven't heard yet whether or not he has seen his shadow, but I'm sure it will be on the news later. Andy and I are still waiting for our passports -I think that we have another couple of weeks before they are really supposed to be here. But you never know, the government might be really on top of things this year, and they might come early. We're still excited about Bolivia...I feel like some of my excitement has dissipated, but not so with Andy. It's really funny to watch him be so happy.

I would love to actually talk to some of you in person...just to see how your life is really going. David seems both excited about new things and slightly homesick for what he has always known. Gwyn of course is making the best of things in China -on vacation right now, so I'm sure she's enjoying that. Carey is working on becoming a chef and seems to be quite happy about it all. Mary keeps driving insane distances to work as a nurse -something we thought would be so fulfilling as a career, but now we're not quite so sure. Ruthie is at school, but I get the feeling that as much as she loves being with her friends, she would rather be with her home and family more. Misti is contemplating the Peace Corp and continues to drive insane distances for "really good food." My brother Timothy is taking classes at Ivy Tech, but I think that he's lost as to what he should do with his life. Jonathan and Kristine are still in LR, Ark -Jon's finishing up his second year at seminary and Kristine is loving her favorite job ever. I know they miss home, but they've got awesome friends and a great church -and love, they love each other a lot. My mom and dad are hanging out in Anderson. Dad's excited about the upcoming school that the church is taking on as well as getting an even higher degree...and I think about the life transformations that he sees in the people around him. Mom is of course great -organized and somehow remembers everything..still working in Elwood, but maybe ready for a change? Andy's parents continue to work wishing it was time to retire and having interesting episodes entertaining grandma.
All in all, I think that everyone is content with where they are and what they're doing, but I also think that most of us feel trapped by something that we can't define. All of us are wanting to make a difference in the world, and really want to make God happy and proud. All of us are glad for the changes that have taken place, but there will always be the 'good ole days' no matter what. There's always people we love and sorrow we face -and all our lives seem so different going in so many various directions, but somehow I think that we're so much more alike than we realize.
Anyway, that was really long -and I might be wrong about some of you. Sorry for that. I do love you all though, and I miss you and I keep you in my prayers.

Ladies Night Out...

So it's really early Saturday morning. I have a meeting (mandatory, of course) that I have to attend at the hospital this morning at 10:00. Believe me, I'm not up in anticipation of the meeting or anything. It's these bones of mine. I hate getting old :) My arms and wrists are both aching and hurting so bad I just can't get back to sleep. Thankfully, a rice bag (that Mary helped me fix about a year ago) heats up nicely and is at least somewhat helpful.

Anyway, last night (Friday) I met with a few of the ladies from church. It was what they called 'ladies night out'. The 'few' ended up being 25 or so and the wait for the table was kind of long, but the time together was great. I really like hanging out with them and getting to know them. sidenote:I think I'm going to go to a horse riding competition next Saturday, which I'm kind of excited about. I've never been to one before.

Andy and I are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our passports. I run to the mailbox (which is mounted to our house, right outside the front door -so it's not much of a run) everyday to see if they've come. Anyway, life continues on at it's usual pace while I feel that I'm still contemplating things that happened days ago. Maybe someday I'll keep up.

Love and Anticipation

So, Andy's now 25. Half-way to 50. Wow. He worked on his birthday and came home totally exhausted. I tried to convince him there was no time for that because we had to eat (IHOP was the restaurant of choice) and then come home for cake and ice cream...and yes, I put 25 candles on the cake, lit them all, and he blew them all out! So, it was fun. My favorite part was buying him a birthday card because it was the first time I got to buy a card that said "husband" :)

Anyway, we both worked on Friday and knew that Misti was planning to come in late Friday night. I ended up working a little late, and when I was walking out the door there was Andy WITH Misti just waiting on me. She spent the night and we got up early the next morning for a 3 (or so) hour trip to Sikeston, Missouri. We were intent on reaching Lambert's -home of the throwed rolls. We all ate, and we were pretty happy. The trip home was slightly less exciting, but good none the less. Saturday night we met with some of the "youngins" from church at Barnes&Noble...I had an italian ice drink (without the cream) and it wasn't as good as I remembered. Starbucks has yet to win me over. Anyway, Sunday Misti left and Andy and I went to church...the usual. We skipped lunch, but we ate great at Los Bravos that night. All this time though, Andy's been very VERY excited about our upcoming trip to Bolivia. He says he's trying to not get too excited, but I think he's having a hard time. You can see it in his eyes.
That was mostly the end of our weekend except for last night where we stayed up until 4am just talking because it's great to have that really wonderful friend that loves you and wants to talk to you -about everything. It reminded me of the phone conversations we used to have when I was in college. Lotsa fun, lotsa love. :) Marriage isn't anything like I thought it would be, and better than I ever expected.

Back into the Routine

Well, the holidays have come and gone. It was great getting to see everyone even though it was a lot of traveling. After we got home Andy had to go back to work, and then so did I. After being off for 2 weeks, going back to the crazy hospital didn't sound like fun. But, it's been okay. Back to the routine of things. I think that the Justisons are coming to visit sometime this weekend because of Andy's birthday -he will be half-way to 50 this year :) In the mean time, I've been playing several games of Yatzee with Andy...he's won all but one of the games.
Our Christmas tree is still up -I suppose we want to enjoy it for as long as possible...it still smells great. I've also been working on a creative party for the awana girls that I'm working with. Oh, and speaking of the girls...Andy and I were able to go to one of Lauren's basketball games -she's in Upwards. It was fun, and she did really well :)
<---one of the cards that I made to mail to the awana girls

Anyway, we're keeping busy...and it's been fun. Oh, and David -I'm very excited for your upcoming move, it will be awesome to see all the different ways that God will use you.

Back Home Again

Well, after what seemed like forever in the car -legs wanting to move, and eyes wanting to see something besides the inside of the car- we made it home. We traveled to Arkansas to see my family -and they all seem to be doing great. It was good to see them, but it was a very quick trip. (Quicker still for my dad who had to fly part of the way.) Anyway, all have made it home safely...and for that I'm very thankful. I'm excited to see what this new year will bring, and even more excited that I get to share in whole with my husband. I'm sure I could type much more, but I'm kind of tired.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend, enjoy :)