Thursday, January 29, 2009

test.

The test is officially over. I'm certain that the only hope I have of passing it is a curve.

but it's over and I'm off to homework.. graduation can't come soon enough.. *although May can hold off for a few months..*

my last day as a "single".

Lets see.. life is insane.

We are going to the courthouse tomorrow to have our civil ceremony. Clearly we don't feel as though one ceremony is enough.. we want one of each kind, thank you. *haha.. not really.. we're going early so we can get all my paperwork done and not stress in April* My family is coming into town! Jery has weekend duty and I work on Saturday.. haha should be fun for them.. :[

Last night we had another Great Dane play date.. boy do I feel for the people who live under us.. goodness Romona and Samson had a BLAST! We took them outside and threw the ball with them.. it was so FUNNY!!!!!! There were still a few ice patches and they both bit the dust several times!! but they LOVED being able to run together! but I would like to note that our SIX month old is 2-3 inches shorter than a 3 YEAR old dane.. he's gonna be HUGE!!!!

Today one of my classes went to Rose Park Senior Activity Center. It was inspiring. I think after today I might be able to come to terms with getting old.. and anytime I don't want to get old.. I'll just remember how I felt when I left there. The seniors there were probably some of the happiest people I've met in a long time. Happy to be taking a bunch of medicine, happy to be slower than they used to, happy to have a place to come and.. LINE DANCE!!!! Yes.. they were line dancing when we got there.. it was AMAZING! I now want to teach a computer class there.. and I think I will.. because I QUIT my job!!!!!! *this blog is FULL of new information!*

I will no longer be working at Sylvan.. I turned in my two weeks on Monday! It has been an on going process that has required much thinking and ultimately a big decision on my part. I work from 5-7:30 Monday through Thursday and Saturday mornings from 9-1. The hours were awful! It gave Jery and I very little time together in the evenings.. I felt like I had to plan my days around work.. and it was only TWO AND HALF hours of my day. We looked at our finances *which officially become OUR finances TOMORROW.. YIKES!* and decided that it wasn't worth the money I was making. It will be SO nice to eat dinner at 6/7 again.. It will be so wonderful to welcome him home every day.. and to do as we please every evening!

The most annoying part of this day is the test I have to take at 1. I took a class in January *I blogged about the amazingness of this class*.. but apparently this is how January short courses work.. you take five days to sit in class and then the rest of the semester you are pestered by the duties of this class.. it would have been much much easier to have just taken the class this semester.. ANYWAY - we have to take a test over a 400+ book that we were suppose to read and comprehend in about two weeks *which btw - are also the first two weeks of the semester.. haha.. who has time for this!!!!*.. I read less than half the book and am going to take the test at 1. AWFUL idea. I did fill out the study guide but I don't think it's going to help much.. I'm very disappointed in myself and will admit that I have NEVER been this unprepared for a test.. and will probably watch my GPA drop because of this. I'm trying to stay focused on the amazing time we had during the class and not let these other duties ruin it all.

Later I will go to work..and then dinner with Amber and Blythe!!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

photos begin.

I have been working all day on a ridiculously long review sheet for a test.. I think that a nice blog break would help keep me sane! Like I said in my last blog I want to post pictures from things we've done in the last month *or two..*!

My brother, Jery and I went to the Lackland air show this year! Chris has a slight obsession with planes and I thought it would be something he would enjoy! *seeing that Jery got orders a few weeks after.. I'm glad we did it this year!*

The Blue Angels were there!! Jery and I had never seen them!

Chris and Jery.. i'm not sure which plane this was!

the three of us!

Jery watching.

My Aunt Juelna ran a MARATHON!!!!! it was so fun to see her family and be apart of her race!

Wolfie, Mary, and I playing at Andrew's house the night before the big race!

Julianna and I!

You've got to do the Alamo picture....

We wanted our own pic..

THERE SHE IS!!!

Miss Mary wanted some kisses!

Now that we have our very own Great Dane.. we get to participate in Great Dane play dates! This was Samson's first play date with Romona!!


Ok well I still have a bunch more pictures to upload.. but I must shower and get dinner ready!! More to come later!

Texas snow.

It officially "snowed" last night.. I know those of you who aren't from Texas will laugh at us.. but we had fun!! It snowed on and off yesterday but after it got dark it began to stick to the ice that was already covering the ground! We walked outside to take the dogs out and everything was WHITE!!! Samson had two firsts in one day!! His first ice this yesterday morning and his first snow last night!! We took them down and Samson LOVED it! Harlii stood still barking at some guy trying to scrap off his windshield... *she can be slightly annoying when she's unhappy*

We took a bunch of pictures and I thought I'd share a couple!!

Here's Samson playing in the ice.


Here's a video of him running around with Jery.. Please note that he learned VERY quickly that the grass is safer than the sidewalk...



Here he is playing in the snow with Jery!

Harlii certainly was not interested in playing in the snow.. but here's her little paw prints!

Here are Mr Samson's paws!



I am uploading all kinds of pictures to my computer right now and I think I may just make another post with the activities of this month!


Tuesday, January 27, 2009

ice day.

Thank GOODNESS we live in TEXAS!!! I'm certain that there is no other state that would close down all schools, all universities, and an air force base for ICE! hahaha!! It has been a wonderful unexpected day off though!

Samson doesn't feel the same way however.. this morning he got all excited to go outside and was trotting out the door like normal only to have all four legs fly out from under him and he hit the ground... his FIRST experience with ice!!! Harlii on the other hand has stay inside most of the day curled up under a blanket with her sweater on... she is not interested in playing in the ice.

We OFFICIALLY have a wedding date!!! On April 9, 2009 at a cute little bed and breakfast in San Antonio we will say "I do!" It will be cute and quaint with a max guest list of 25 people! The process has officially begun and we're going dress shopping this weekend!! :]]

I have defiantly been posting some random blogs lately filled with random thoughts and ideas about my life.. but that is just the way it has been lately!

Monday, January 26, 2009

random.

There are so many things I should write about.. but a few that I have time to share!

First off.. I am beyond thankful to have Jery home. His "group" deployed a week ago, and I have been overwhelmed at how quickly we have taken our being physically together for granted. Before he got orders he was on the list and I guess somewhere between the day we found out he was deploying and today *with getting orders somewhere in between* we forgot how blessed we are to be together. So as the days and weeks and months bring us closer to May admist all the stress and paperwork.. I want to remember how special it is to have him by my side. They can literally call him at a moments notice, and I hate how easy it is to forget that. In the last month we have had two friends be told they are deploying with about a weeks notice. It's apart of this lifestyle, but I doubt it will ever be easy.

Secondly.. I have been annoyed by busyness. I want to be able to take the dogs to the park or build a puzzle without feeling guilty for the things I "SHOULD" be doing.

Third.. On a joyful note! Our dogs have been cleared to go with us!!!! Just as soon as they finished their quarantine time they will be allowed to enter the UK!!!!!! :]]

Well friends - thanks for reading.. Enjoy today.. and Be joyful!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

photos.

Well - I promised pictures from our trip so here there are!!!


Here we are on the bus that was taking us to the WRONG airport.. we found that out after this picture..*they ended up holding the plane for us..*


WE MADE IT!!! Here is the gang waiting for the bus.. not sure why the man cut Philip and Michael's heads off....


Only in Mexico will they serve you beer on the ride to the hotel...




This was our BEAUTIFUL view from our hotel room... pictures just don't do it justice..



They employees of the hotel went around making designs in the ashtrays with their name tags.. I guess it was their way of passing time.. but we thought they were awesome! This is just one of many pictures I took of them!



We had "our table" at the restaurant by the beach..here's just the girls..






Krystle, Philip, Michael, and Cassie walking by the beach


Jery and I made footprints in the sand!

Our favorite spot!!!



Our last night!!!


We paid some guy to let us take a picture with his monkey.. Jery thought it was the greatest thing ever!! *the monkey dug in his pocket and stole his hat after this picture!*


We got on stage at this one bar!.. oh dear.



Jery's "party hat"


The gang again.. at the lobby bar!

I hope you enjoyed them! There are about two hundred pictures.. so these are just small glimpse into the fun we had.. but they will have to do because I've got to get ready for class!!

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

reality.

just a quick note about the last post.. I got on the computer at the hotel.. and I emailed my mom and then wrote a blog.. *please keep in mind that every word except what I wrote was in SPANISH* clicked publish.. and it took me to this screen with lots of words on it but none that I could read.. and about that time the little timer came on telling me I had to get off.. I didn't realize until just now that it didn't publish the blog I wrote! oh well!

Cancun was AMAZING! We both completely enjoyed ourselves! It was wonderful to be there with friends and I couldn't have picked a better group! It ended WAY to quickly though.. and it's back to reality.. I am SO behind in school.. but I promise to write more and post some pictures soon!

Friday, January 16, 2009

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

CANCUN.

We are off!!!! We will be leaving Abilene about 11 am this morning *shortly after I get out of class* and head to San Antonio to drop our pups off at my moms.. then it's off to AUSTIN!!! We fly out of Austin on a direct flight to Cancun very very early Thursday morning!!!

I will have lots and lots of pictures and stories to tell when we get home!!!! :]]

Have a fantastic weekend friends!

Monday, January 12, 2009

busy.

Last week I took the most amazing course I've taken at ACU. I am aware that it wasn't the class that was so amazing, but rather God speaking through the class. I have been so challenged to stand in the Lord's presence and allow him to dwell in every part of my life.

The first day of the class we had to make "name plates".. we wrote our name on one side so everyone could learn our name, but on the other side we wrote two...*I don't remember what she called them...* qualities, fruits of the Spirit, characteristics.. *take your pick* that we wanted to work on during this class and throughout the semester. I decided on peace and joy. The great thing about the way she designed these name plates was that the entire week I read peace and joy constantly! It was the perfect way to get it implanted into my mind and confident that the Lord's peace and joy will shine through me. I picked those two for several reasons, and picking just two wasn't easy! I have plenty of areas of my life I want to spend six months focusing on and making more Christ-like.. but we could only pick two! I realize that sitting in here in January it is easy to talk about getting married, graduating, and moving to England.. but come April it's all gonna become a reality. *I don't want ANYONE getting the idea that I am not completely excited to be marrying the love of my life, or GRADUATING from college!, or moving to England... but lets get real folks.. that's alot in a matter of two months and there is about a billion reasons and ways I could get stressed and overwhelmed* I also realize now that those becoming a reality will bring with them opportunities to get stressed and freak out.. SO I picked PEACE because I want to always remember that God's peace is within me.. that He is aware of every detail and in control of every situation.. I picked JOY because this is such an amazing time of my life and an incredible opportunities for Jery and I to spend our first "three" years of marriage in England.. I don't want the stress of it all to take away the joy that exist in every day life. I want to have a permanent image of my name plate saying peace and joy in my mind.

Ok.. fast forward. The entire week was life changing. It opened my eyes to a new way of thinking and encouraged me to think of myself and not let my existing knowledge keep me from new ideas. It made me realize how much I need to be in scripture and learning His word for myself. It reminded me that I decided on ACU for a reason and that being here is fabulous. I discovered that it is ok to be me. We took a personality profile test and I was so blessed. It's difficult to explain it to people who haven't taken the test.. but lets just say that I can be content with who I am now!! GOD created me! I could probably go on forever, but I'll continue on with the weekend.

My friend Jason left for Iraq Saturday morning at 3 am. Such a reality check moment. Friday we went to dinner with him and said our good-byes.. :( Then Jery and I went over to Amber and Josiah's! But we were bums and went home early to let Samson out and so I could get to bed. I had to work Saturday and then we went to San Antonio! The Monster Jam was in San Antonio and Jery wanted to go! It's funny how much more we've done since finding out about England.. I guess we both feel like we've got to do everything we can because we won't have these same opportunities come May. We spent the night at my mom's and went to the show on Sunday! About 6:30 pm we headed back to Abilene!! haha..ridiculous! And this morning I started my FINAL semester of my undergraduate work!!!!!!!!!!

There are a bunch of other stories I want to write about but this is out of control! We leave for CANCUN on Thursday morning! and Monday we are off to check out of site for the wedding.. I will attempt to write again before we leave.. but if not have a wonderful weekend!! We'll be thinking about you all from MEXICO!!!! :]]]]]]]]

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

God.

Have you ever had a time in your life were you felt like God was sitting right next to you all the time? Not the feeling where you know God is watching all the time.. but the feeling like He is sitting next to you on a camp bench all alone out in nature just talking to you one on one..

That basically describes the last day and a half of my life! I am taking a January short course and working every night.. which we all thought would be insane and horrid.. however God is amazing. The class is Women in Christian Service and let me tell you.. it is AMAZING! Not only am I discovering great and wonderful things about our Creator.. I am listening to Him reveal how unique and marvelous he created me. We did a personality profile.. I'm pretty sure they can go on record as the most frequently filled out thing at ACU.. but this one was different. Or maybe it was just the context of the class and the professor.. in any case God has been ever so present in my every step.. I promise to explain more later.. but for now I'm off to work on our spiritual formation assignment.. I have to write a letter to myself from God! How exciting!!!

Monday, January 5, 2009

wedding.

I'm sure many of you have dealt with planning a wedding.. so this is probably no surprise to you.. but GOOD GRIEF!!!! There are WAY too many decisions to make and trying to do it in a couple of weeks just might be proving impossible!

The last time Jery and I discussed a wedding "date" we were considering the first or third weekend in February.. but I've got something else in mind! Something that comes with alot less stress and lots more time! This week I am starting a January short course that might prove to be more than I bargained for.. Class is from 8-5 and then I work from 5-7:30... oh my poor puppy!!!! But aside from going INSANE this week.. it will leave me with little time to do anything much less plan a wedding.. and next week we leave for Cancun so that takes out another week for any sort of planning.. leaving us with really only two weeks till our supposed wedding date.. hahaha.. I just don't think thats gonna work!!

SO - *this has yet to be discussed with Jery, but he should be home soon...* I'm thinking that we should just JP it.. get working on paperwork and all the mess that comes with getting married and PCSing.. THEN in April have a wedding!! I was thinking more March but we are planning to go to Illinois for spring break.. so I don't think a big trip and a wedding need to be in the same month.. So April it is!

I get excited.. then stressed.. then excited.. then stressed.. I hope that at some point I just stay excited and the stressed part goes away.. I have good intentions of staying as on top of everything as possible.. and attempting to stay as stress-free as possible!! But when it is all said and done I couldn't be more excited to be marrying my soul mate, my best friend, and the love of my life! He is an amazing man and I wonder sometimes how I got so lucky! I look forward to being his wife and spending our lives together despite the stresses that may come along!

Ok well I start school tomorrow.. the fiance is working 12s all week.. and the puppy is turning nocturnal.. I MUST go exercise him!