Update

Here's a quick list of update (in no particular order)
-We are now moved to our "new" home.
- We have gas, water, and electric at our new home. We can also shower ( hot water tank works). Still need an electrician to look at the furnace, staying warm enough, for now.
-Lost some tree branches with the recent ice storm. We still have electricity unlike our friends the Greins.
-Jack took ill last Thursday morning.( If you want the details we will give them but for those with weak stomachs, let's leave it at that.) Trevor took him to the Animal Hospital on Thursday morning, where Jack stayed overnight, got IV fluids and antibiotics.
-Jack is back to his normal self, except for a spot on his right paw the vet had to shave for his IV.
-Dad (Hoppy) came up to help with the house Thursday - Sunday. His help was much appreciated.
-I am returning to Unity as part time. Not much will change. I will still do agency work 1-2 days a week.



-I guess that's about it. Oh and I think my amarylis is a dud. It still has not bloomed.


For those who ask about Christmas gifts I am now responding Bath and Body works Twisted Peppermint products (any kind), socks, indoor spice plants ( kitchen herbs like basil, dill, mint, cilantro), or indoor bulbs like narcissus, amarylis, etc.

On talking to plants

I bought an amarylis plant the other day and have had the opportunity to watch it grow. After I provided it with the prescribed combination of soil, water, and sunlight it has grown, bit by little bit.
At first I thought I had killed it with too little water. Then I went on a trip and feared I had killed it with too little water and not enough sunlight. I try to remember to crack the shade and give it a sip of water when I pass by it. Of course, I tend to forget from time to time. Luckily, it seems to be a hardy plant so far.
Every time I pass by my plant, I am amazed by its progress. Every day it grows a little more. Slowly but surely I will have a beautiful red flower to look at and tend to.
Today as I checked on my plant, I whispered, "To the sky." I figured it needed some extra encouragement after a typical week of my neglect.

After the latest conflict with my husband, I have paused to reflect on my words to him. Unfortunately, I do not always speak as well to him as I do to my little plant. And like my plant sometimes I neglect to give my husband the prescribed things to make our marriage grow.
Sometimes I do things that unknowingly "tear down my home" like little things I see as comments, he sees as discouragements. After today I will make a concentrated effort to encourage my husband and even allow him room to fail. Because the truth is we all fail. And my husband has been there for me in some tough times. And if I can speak kindly to my plant, shouldn't I do more for my husband?
I'll keep you posted on my plant(;

Story of the Pumpkin Continued....

Trevor began drawing on the pumpkin





















Soon the pumpkin had a face... this one is a Star Wars one




















This face is Strong Bad from Homestarrunner




















This is one is a classic Jack-o- lantern



















Then finally the pumpkin was aglow!










and aglow....











......and aglow!
Happy Halloween!
Happy Birthday to Hanna and Ashton too!

The story of the pumpkin

Out in the pumpkin patch the story begins.













One pumpkin stood alone, the largest of its kind.















After negotiations, we welcomed the pumpkin with open arms.





















Story to be continued.......

Pictures for your perusal

Job hunt going well. Remember, Nurse recruiters can be so annoying! Pray for me as I seek God's direction.
I have a lot of pictures to catch up on! My lil bro got married on August 18. Oh there are some pics of Ruby, my best friend's niece, Grannie and Papa, Mom and Dad at the wedding.

On potholes and such

"Some of us think holding on makes us strong, sometimes it is letting go." Herman Hesse


The title is from a dear friend who said all this mess with work was just a "pothole" in my career, that I would get through it or around it.
Well as most of you know by now, the meeting on Wednesday decided that, though I have improved it is not enough and that I am to move on from my current job. I am not bitter but am actively fighting bitterness. Now I know this is not where God wants me to be right now. I also know that I needed to take this opportunity to let me know that home health is not where I need to be now.
John Greenleaf Whittier in Maud Muller said it best, "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!' " Now is not that time for could have, would have, should have's.
My last day is Wednesday then I have basically have a week of paid vacation. What an opportunity to grow and understand what God has for me!
Though this is tough, I must not give up. "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9
I do not try to put all this "behind me." The bitterness and stress I will forget but not the comfort. I do not write my employers and coworkers off. I am grateful for all the kindness I have received.
With God's help I will not only get through this I will be better because of it. This song sums it up.

Crossroads

"Don't ask for less problems, ask for more skills."
---Jim Rohn, The Day that Turns Your Life Around

Come listen to another series of ramblings in my head from the lastest drama that is my life.
It seems I am at another crossroads (and I am not talking about the cheesy movie with Brittany Spears either). This one is to stay---or not stay. That is the question.
Here's the gist without getting too detailed. Hah, that's funny when you see how long this post is! Its long but PLEASE read on. As some of you know I started a home health job about 3 months ago. I really stepped out on a limb to take this job because I truly believe God has designed me to be a nurse in a setting outside floor/hospital nursing. I was amazed the opportunity had come so quickly. I prayed and believed that this is what God wanted for me. And I know just because things are not going as I had hoped does not mean this is not what God intended. I praise God when adversities come, they make me stronger. (James Chapter 1)
Wednesday, it was brought to my attention that I am not doing as well as I thought. "Home health is not easy. You make lots of mistakes at first. That' s normal." This was what my supervisors and co-workers have told me for weeks. So when the bosses called me in for a closed door meeting and asked, "How do you feel things are going?" I replied, "Good, I have made mistakes, I know what to do now because of them." The administrator replied, "Yes, you have some problems. Things are not progressing as well as we had hoped. You are not where you should be at three months." She continued to tell me that I have made the same mistakes over and over with little or no signs of improvement. She also told me about my "lack of cordiality and rapport with my patients." That is the part I am still not getting.
I love my patients and fight for them. Reportedly, my supervisors talked to my patients and co-workers about my patient interaction. According to my administrator, they concluded I am too "cut and dry." Well yeah I am. But I love my patients! The meeting continued to inform me I have two weeks to improve my paperwork and form rapport with my patients or I will be terminated.
Wow. Talk about a ton of bricks to drop on somebody. Without seeming too critical of the orientation process of becoming a nurse, I am about to become very critical of the whole orientation process.
I thought this morning about how we as human beings are designed by God with a distinct purpose in mind. With saying this though, I realize we also draw a lot of our sense of our world from our experiences and environment. I think back to when I first became a nurse. Realize nursing school has a little to do with that but one's first job can very influential.
I think about Vanessa. Vanessa was my first preceptor at St Luke's when I did not know a thing about working in the hospital. Vanessa was a Phillipino lady who stood about 5 feet tall. What Vanessa lacked in height she made up for in personality. She proudly recognized that co-workers called her "Hitler" due to her sometimes not so kind,commanding, get-it-done-now, approach to nursing. She taught me time management in the sense that "You can't talk to patients! You too busy!" She argued with me once when I asked a CNA for help with getting a patient to cooperate to get a BP. "You the RN! If you can't do it, no one can!" I still hear her saying, "You behind. This should be done, NOW!" She frequently reduced me to tears. Her cattle prod approach to nursing taught me time management. It can also account for my tendency to be brusque, and to put it frankly, very "cut and dry" at times.
St Luke's had an amazing orientation that allowed sufficient time to orient, about six months on the floor I worked on. (Other places say they will allow enough time but frequently don't) When I moved to nights, it was still hectic. Most of the time the nurses were the secretary, aide, and own supervisor rolled into one. Nicole took up the task of training me next. Nicole was the sweetest, most efficient nurse. She patiently taught me how to draw blood, start IV's, handle patient complaints, while remaining calm. Unfortunately, some of Vanessa's survival techniques stuck. I fear I treated Nicole badly because when I finally got on my own I was scared. And it was hard and that is not an excuse. I thank Nicole for all she did. And even Vanessa. If I had not been trained well there were numerous occasions I would have quit.
The orientation at each place after St Luke's was fair to poor at best. Julie will admit she did not have time to really train me at Baptist and I really did well from the beginning due to my experiences at St Luke's. I trained for maybe a two weeks with Julie and then I was on my own.
Orientation at Unity, well let's just say the preceptor and I didn't mix well. I found myself doing most of HER work for her at the end. Oh and I discovered frequently rules that were not explained or even mentioned. I told my nursing supervisor NOT to train anyone with this nurse ever again. I hope she listened.

And lastly, this orientation experience currently has been thrown together at best. It is not to say people haven't bent over backwards for me. And this is not to say I did not follow excellent caring nurses. I love the people I work with and for, they are the best. Thus far, I think this might be the best job I've had. I just think, for me, the orientation process wasn't organized in such a way to help me succeed. And this past week doesn't make it all bad. It can be the day that turns my life around if I let it.
People at my job have been encouraging me for weeks. They have patted me on the back for being patient with my mistakes. Now I fear my mistakes will be the end of me there. I understand its because I keep making the same mistakes. And its not because I'm not trying. Its because I don't get it-- yet.

I feel if a problem exists in the orientation process, it should not be up to the orientee to bring it up. Especially when the orientee has been told over and over that this is "normal." If a problem develops and the bosses see it, I feel they have the responsibility to bring it up to the orientee in a timely fashion. What I find most overwhelming is two things . 1) I feel I am doing well (I was on call BY MYSELF WITH LITTLE INSTRUCTION THREE WEEKS into the job!) all things considered. 2) I have two weeks to fix a "personality problem" that I didn't even know I have.

And with saying all this please pray for my sanity. I want to use this past Wednesday to improve, but I am overwhelmed. Please pray that I would go where I need to go and have the conversations I need to have. And thank you for listening/reading my thoughts. I know I probably shouldn't divulge this but this its my blog and my job. This has nothing to do with private stuff except for what is private to me and I am sharing with readers who I know care about me. Thank you

Heroes?

Well our Internet is back up so I guess you have the privilege of listening to a rambling thought of mine.
I finished watching the first season of Heroes. The story begins when a group of seeming normal people find out they are extraordinary through a series of events. One man can fly. Another can read people's thoughts. Still one more has super strength. As the story continues to unfold, the heroes find out they all will take part in a major world altering event. Each person discovers how he or she can help save the world.
This show strikes a chord with so many of us who search for meaning and significance to our existence. I have wondered often long and hard about how I was made with a "special" purpose in mind that can be accomplished by no one but me. A hero if you want to think about it that way.
Maybe it is the little child in me that cries, "Notice what I can do that no one else can!" I even find myself among the body of believers thinking, "If only I could _____, I would be significant." I go on week by week believing in my heart that no one notices me. When someone actually does forget about me, this convinces me all the more.
It is then I am convinced of my hero ability, the power of invisibility. People forget about me, yes. It is good people trust me and do not feel threatened by me. It is not so positive when people fail to remember me. Or even in some instances flat out ignore me.
I know, I know God remembers me. He knew me before I was born (Psalm 139: 13). He sings a song of rejoicing over me (Zephaniah 3:17). I am the most precious thing to him. I am part of Him (Isaiah 62:3).
I know these things to be true. I also know if the body does not work together, the world dies.
Our mission is to save a world decaying from within. Our world rots away as sin destroys the perfect world our Father has made. The only hope we have is to look to God for answers on how we can work together and rely on Him.
The heroes encounter each other on that faithful day to find out--they need each other. They discover if they work alone, evil will destroy the world. If they don't purposefully and sacrificially use their abilities to the fullest, they will fail.
The same is true of the Church. If we deny we need each other, as I have done for so long because of the pain of rejection, the Church will fail. The purpose of the Church is the same our Lord's "to seek and save that which was lost." We have to believe in each other, and in our Lord's will, or all will be lost. Then we will be truly heroes and save the world.

And I remember
Yes he included me. Jesus included me. When the Lord said whosoever, he included me.

And that must be all I need.

Internet out

Internet out, please call instead(:

"New" Truck

Does anybody want to know about our truck? Ask Trevor (:

Service: Can anybody tell me what's up with this? I needed to get a trim badly and knew I probably
wouldn't have to time to get into a scheduled hair appt so I go back to Cost Cutters. I had avoided going there because the last time I went there the lady hung her comb on my ear like 5 times and seemed to be too much of a hurry to get on break. I thought well I have gotten my hair cut there before that incident and it was ok.
I drive to Cost Cutters and it wasnt too busy so I think, "This should be more pleasant." I was wrong and she got no tip. Note I ALWAYS tip at those type places, but this was, in my opinion, bad. She hung her comb on my left ear three times and once pretty roughly. I guess I need to learn to yell out, "That hurts!" I know my ears stick out my head but they are attached to my head! My ear is still red. I wonder if they teach this type thing in Cost Cutters school or what? It was quick is all I can say. Hey Cost Cutters ladies if you need to take a break, take one, and don't cut my hair.
I'm get tired of people in service doing stuff like this. They herd you through like cattle and then expect a reward! Nope, sorry. Hopefully I don't treat you like that when you are my patient. The moral of this story is, I will make a hair appt for 6 weeks from now and not at Cost Cutters!

Tri State and More

Here's a few pictures from Tri State and the weekend with the fam. I have continued working this past week. This week is my first weekend "on my own." Trevor and I have been and will be busy but are doing well.

Updates

Well where to start...

• Falls Creek was good. Trevor and I go to the Falls Creek service at Calvary tomorrow night
• Trevor has been working on Star Wars display at Paul's Valley Action Figure Museum
• Hot Wheels Double Dog Dare Derby (try to say that one three times fast!) was today in Paul's Valley
• Monday I start my home health job at Heartland
• Tri-State camp is the week after next

Hope next week goes well for you all too!

Arkansas Christian Union Camp

Last week Trevor and I helped with the Arkansas Christian Union Camp. Here's some pictures of our adventures. Sorry no pictures on the river. We canoed down a creek on last Monday but didn't want to risk our camera.
This week is Falls Creek with Calvary. Praying for another good week. Yes that is a picture of Trev with pantyhose on his head, a random pic the youth took of cows, and a giant picture of Jesus as a coach.

Onto more important matters(:

Guess what we finally picked up? You guessed it ......the fifth season of Scrubs! So how about Scrubs at my house? I have watched 6 episodes so far and it is hilarious. I need a break, well yeah I had one last week but it was short lived. I worked 17 hours yesterday after 2 12 hour days before that. I am supposed to have tomorrow off as a trade but we'll see...

Weekend in Missouri

While Trevor was in LA attending Celebration 4 ( see his blog for details), I was in Missouri hanging out with the rest of the fam. Here are some really cute pics of the nieces. The first of one is of Emily Grace when I took her to McDonald's on Friday.

Random Useless Facts

Since my last few posts have been so dark and introspective(maybe I've been reading too much Dark Tower) here's one of those cutesy
all about me surveys(: Please comment and participate!

1) What is your current ring tone? for specific callers?

Well for most callers, Rain Song by Day of Fire (good song); for Trevor, Super Mario Bros(per his request), Greins, Blue Monday; Pringles, I want to know what love is; Emily, Questions by Jack Johnson; Work/Unity, Welcome to the Jungle (I think this is hilarious, "Its gonna make you bleed!') If you want another one let me know for now this is all the ring tones I can afford!

2) What's for dinner tonight?

Hamburger helper with beans. I'm neither creative or ambitious tonight. However I had turkey burgers for lunch. Mmmm juicy.

3) What song do you have in your head now?

Its a toss up between David Crowder's B Collison verson of I Saw the Light (Bluegrass
Style) or I Want to Know What Love Is

4) What is something I gets me excited?
SNOWCONES!! I have only had one so far this year.

5)Favorite snowcone flavor?

Probably Wedding Cake or Strawberry Cheesecake, I also like Blue Coconut


6) What is the last book you read?
Dark Tower VI: Wolves of the Calla Over 700 pages!

7) Favorite verse
Lately John 14:15 Look it up, yeah I haven't memorized it but I DO know what it says(:

8) Current Bathsoap?
Bath and Body Works Spearmint Eucalyptus Stress Relief

9) What do you plan to do tonight?
Eat dinner, watch at least one movie (rented Children of Men), I don't know what else

10) Favorite Yoga Position?
Hmm the Corpse Pose comes to mind(:

11) Current drink of choice?

Dr Pepper with Pure Sugar Cane Sugar!

12)Favorite Scrubs episode?
so hard to choose, probably My Monster, My Hero, or the one with Micheal J Fox and the rooftop toilet


That's all folks!

I'm a stranger in this land.....

Last week was not the most peaceful week so I took an opportunity to learn about peace.
1) Peace is active. Psalms 34:14 says to "pursue peace."
2) Peace goes hand and hand with strength (The Lord gives strength to his people. the lord blesses his people with peace.")
3) Peace requires walking straight, righteousness. (Ps 37:31)
4) The person who loves the "law" or the Word of God has peace. Ps 119:165
5) Peace is an aspect of a person. Ps 120:7 talks about a man OF peace.
6) Jesus is our peace. Micah 5:5 "He will be their peace."
7) Peace is not of this world. Only Jesus can give us peace. John 14:15
"Peace I leave you, My Peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled."

I have been struggling with people "of this world" hating me. But Jesus told me I should be suprised. The world hates and longs for the peace I have in Christ at the same time. I must hold my tongue much. I pray that at some point I would have encouragement from where I work, which can be a very dark place for me. I have very little. People have bad attitudes and bad things are happening to people. I must SPEND TIME WITH JESUS to keep that my peace strong. I can't let someone else's bad attitude become my own. I long to share my light and peace but sometimes I feel like I am shining a little penlight in a huge dark room. I pray God will make that light enough. Even when I fail...

I just wanted to post a little note about a few things God is doing in my life.
I am learning to be less selfish. Be patient, I said I was learning. I also have some major issues with anger I am just recently begun to work on. Again be patient. I am trying to not let silly little things bother me. My group of friends, especially Alicia, encourage me a lot. Iam realizing slowly but surely that I do not have to always be acknowledged. Or "petted." I say this as in, expecting people to say " O good job, Amanda showing up to work today." I just need to stop expecting that. I have learned from my husband that expecting things is not always a good thing. Anyway, a note to my group of friends that all is well. Really. Thanks.

Top ten reasons I didn't answer my phone today

Here's the scoop. At the hospital, nurses and aides have to carry phones with them and I become more and more annoyed by the thing. Here are the top ten reasons I didn't answer it:

10) The battery has a life of about 3 minutes and it has ALREADY gone dead for the fifth time in a row.
9) I'm hiding from the doctors, they might find something for me to do (Actually they are probably busy ignoring MY page)
8) I'm hiding from the crazy family members who call at 7:30 AM to ask how Aunt Sally "is doing." ( I don't know, I haven't seen them yet and even if I had I can't tell you,please call later so you can interrupt what I'm dong again)
7)I'm hiding from all the people who want something RIGHT NOW at shift change.
6) I am up to my elbows in something. Use your imagination.
5) I actually found five minutes to go the bathroom so I didn't pee my pants, thank you.
4)I ate my phone due to my extreme hunger. You hear it ringing? Yeah its actually in my colon. You mind answering for me.
3)My phone accidentally fell in the toilet and I accidentally flushed it. Refer to # 5.
2)My phone accidentally fell on the floor and I accidentally stepped on it.
1) It's amazing my phone learned to fly...out the window! I can fly, I can fly, I can fly!

Easter/ Stanley's Birthday

Tomorrow is the day we celebrate the resurrection of our saviour. Not only did he die for us, he rose again on the third day! Disciples came looking for Jesus at his tomb and the angel said, "Why do you look for the living among the dead?" Jesus is alive!
Makes me think of the chorus for a hymn I love:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives, all fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future, life is worth the living
Just because He lives.


Also of note, it is our adopted World Vision child's birthday tomorrow.Stanley lives in
Haiti and he turns 10 tomorrow! Happy Birthday Stanley!

Old Tyme Pics

Here are two sets of photos from Eureka Springs. The way blogger loads is weird but last year's are the 1930's era. This year's are the western ones.

Pics from the trip

Here's some pics from our trip to Eureka Springs. Note that we lost our digital camera so some of these would have been better. Maybe Trev's camera will give us better ones.
I also had some fake smile going on, don't know what that's all about(:

Anniversary #1

Some of you may remember what happened this day one year ago. Yes it was a cold and rainy day in March when we will all gathered together to celebrate our wedding. We've already thawed out the cake (not bad I might add, tastes almost "fresh"). We've made arrangements for our child, Jack (thanks Scott and Kendal). We're going to pack our wedding dvd (thanks John!). Now all we have to do is pack and head out to Eureka Springs. You might see us at church this morning. Then again you may not. Check out the ME link on my page for my blog entry and profile song on my Myspace. Ah good memories. Here's some pics just for fun....

A bloody mess!

The Stories Continue...
One of the patients was quite confused yesterday. He was sitting up in the hall so we could keep an eye on him when I arrived. He asked me, "What movie is it that we are in again? I forgot." I remind him he is in the hospital and I am his nurse (the proper thing to do).
Later on in the afternoon he asked,"Excuse me. I am in Fort Worth and I need to know what stop is my stop." Now he thought he was on the train. He commented to other nurses, "Man, this train sure goes slow!" At least he was pleasantly confused. Apparently, he thought I was mean because I keep telling him he had better stay in his
seat. "She's a mean nurse," he told someone. Oh well at least he believed me.

Let me tell you first that I have spiked blood, oh at least a hundred times in my nursing career and I have never done this before! After verifying patient identity, one must don gloves and carefully pull apart the end of the blood and insert the spike from the IV tubing. I went to spike some yesterday (the 2nd unit I might add) and it didn't stay spiked, it kinda slipped out. I knew I needed to get the end of the bag back up but blood was going everywhere and I was trying to avoid a) dousing my patient and her robe on the chair b) myself. The family asked if they could go get someone I said, "Yes and quickly!" Terri and the techs helped me save at least half the bag (I had to call the dr later to let him know what had happened since the patient didnt get the whole bag. He couldn't understand this.). One tech exclaimed, "It's like a murder scene!" Another said, "It's a bloody mess!" But we did manage to avoid the patient, her clothes, the bed, and I only spattered a little on my shoes. It was a pain however, mopping up blood which ShellyAnne, bless her soul, stayed and helped me with. A bloody fine mess indeed.

Bad Day

Sorry for the depressing last two posts. Last night, I knocked my glasses off the counter in the bathroom effectively breaking them in half. I also developed a severe sore throat and fever a 9:00 last night.
Today my awesome husband took me to get new glasses and the AM/PM clinic to get antibiotics. Meanwhile, and a hundred dollars later, Trevor got ill and we spent the remainder of the afternoon sick in bed. The good points were that I can see again with spiffy new glasses and fixed up with antibiotics. So hopefully my husband and I will be going to work feeling 100% better.

Update: We took Trev to AM/PM and discovered that Trev has strep throat. So we are both at home recovering.

"Shine your light and let the whole world see.."

Today is better than Saturday night. Let's just say Trev and I didn't agree. It was part selfishness and partly constantly trying to understand each other. I am still trying to figure out what my role is in friendships, my marriage, at work, etc.
Work is one of those places where I just don't feel like I fit in. I just don't feel like my co-workers really care about me as a person, what I do, etc. Don't know why this bothers me now, never really has before. And it likely may be MY fault. Lately, I just feel like I am very snippy with patients who are demanding (calling EVERY FIVE MINUTES for whatever). I want to be a light for Christ wherever I am but I'm just not. I struggle a lot with who I am. As prayed about this Saturday night, I confessed my bad attitude. God reinforced that I make him happy NOW by just being me.
Isaiah 62 is the place where God always brings me back to. God says I "have a new name given by GOD himself." And I will "be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand." He "rejoices over me!"
I felt a little better but drew Trev in an argument and was still upset by Sunday morning at church. We came in late to a song that says


Song: Mighty to Save
Everyone needs compassion,
And love that never fails,
Let mercy fall on me

Everyone needs forgiveness,
Kindness of the Saviour
The Hope of nations

(Chorus:)
Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My god is mighty to save,
He is mighty to save
Forever author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave

So take me as you find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again

I give my life to follow
Everything that i’d believe in
Now i surrender (and i surrender)

(Chorusx2)

(Bridge:)
Shine a light in and let the whole world see
Singing, for the glory of the risen king
Jesus, Shine a light and let the whole world see
Singing for the glory of the risen king

(Chorus)

(Bridge:)


When I got to the bridge I couldn't sing it. The tears started because I want so badly to be that light at work but just can't find the balance. Either I'm snippy and rude or I get run over. God still encourages me with His word in Isaiah but I still feel like there has to be something more I can do at work. I don't know if any of this makes sense. Probably doesn't. Just pray for me as God sorts it out.

"Sharks are like dogs...."

"Sharks are like dogs...they only bite if you touch their private parts."

Yes, this from "our" movie 50 First Dates, the first movie Trevor asked me to three years ago yesterday. We watched it tonight after a rousing game of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit with the Greins and Pringles. Hard to believe Trev and I have only REALLY known each other three years (well you could argue we didn't know each other until we got married but we won't go there) Somehow it is a fitting movie for us(: In less than a month we will have been married a year. Wow. Here's another of "our" moments.
Here's a link to our favorite song. Altogether now: awww. By the way, Jack Johnson's In Between Dreams album is something worth checking out.

The last two days have been good. Kendal picked me up yesterday to go work out at the Y. We participated in a weight circuit workout and how I hurt today. It was a lot of fun though. Then I went to Stillwater to meet Leslie and Ephraim. Of course we went shopping,etc. Ephraim is getting so big! Today I went to work out again at the Y and did a Yogalates workout. Again it was hard, but good. Finished off today with Bible Study over I Thessalonians 3. Not bad at all.

This Weekend

Wow what a weekend! Trevor and I not only went to the Family Vision weekend, we also went to Louisiana on Sunday and came back yesterday. On the way back we did some shopping in Norman and we met with Kevin Stark at the Action Figure Museum in Paul's Valley. Trev is working on a project for this summer. So today I am cleaning up around the house and maybe get to visit with Kim(:

The Vision

Trevor and I attended a Family Vision conference this weekend. We learned how to create our vision statement and were able to think and pray about our family values. No, we are not expecting but this is our family, at least right now.

Taylor Family Vision Statement:
The Taylors Live Like No One Else.

I won't recount the rest of our Vision statements now but the main one is that we live a life of worship. (Romans 12: 1-2) That's how we live like no one else. I am sure we will continue to tweak it but that's it for now.
This is part of the vision we want to pass on to generations to come!


Thanks to all our friends and family who support us in so many ways now!

Better than I Deserve...

"Doing better than I deserve."
Dave Ramsey says this all time on his radio show. I feel it applies to how I feel about
life right now. Things have not been easy but Trevor and I are moving closer to our first anniversary. Wow, how time flies.
Professionally, spiritually, socially I still have a long way to go in life. I just say
be patient with me, God is not finished with me yet.

My Husband Continues to Do Well

Not only did Trev get me a mixer, he also cooked steaks, fixed a fancy salad, and arranged a candlelit dinner after I arrived home on Wednesday night. He said he went to
Walmart earlier that day and was amazed by all the plastic baubles you can buy for your loved one. He said I am worth much more than that. Awww. I guess I am worth quality steaks (: That's pretty good in my book.

Valentines Day Came Early

I wanted to show off the Valentines present my husband gave me last week. I already made a Dr Pepper cake.

Movie Plans

Here's a movie title that got me excited, The Last Sin Eater. It is based on a novel by Francine Rivers, one of my favorite authors. Coincidentally, it is also directed by Michael Landon, Jr. It seems lately a lot of quality Christian films have been produced. ( Some would argue against me about the reliability of this claim since Mr Landon has done a lot of the Love Comes Softly books. I actually enjoy those books.) I hope to see it tonight, if I can get Trev to go. For those of you who have never heard of the book, check out the website for the movie.


Update: Kendal and I saw the movie on Sunday and it was pretty good. At least we enjoyed it.

Finding Time to Read

Several weeks later, I have finished Failing Forward, How to Make the Most of Your Mistakes by John Maxell. I enjoyed it enough and parts were encouraging. I usually try to have the mindset of my mistakes make me better. For instance, when I get lost, I learn a new way to go somewhere. Well I guess except when I go to Alicia's house and I get lost about every time.
Note: I did make it to Alicia's last time without calling her. I did get turned around but instead of getting frustrated, I simply realized from getting lost so many other times I was going the wrong way.
I recommend the book overall.