Holiday Mood

I think I'm actually going to get some Christmas shopping done this weekend - fun! This made me laugh... I remember seeing it last year, but still... enjoy!

If you haven't heard the news...

or know the story behind this little boo-boo head... you better check this out.

Some of these made me laugh a lot

1. Put your iPod or iTunes on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag 10 or more friends who might enjoy doing this as well as the person you got this from.


1. If someone says "is this ok?" you say
-Wounded (Shane & Shane)

2. WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY?
- Cold, Cold Heart (Norah Jones) hilarious

3. WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
-And Can It Be (Covenant Life Church)

4. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
-Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Kenny G)

5. WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO?
-I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (David Cook) hilarious

6. WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
-If I Ain't Got You (Alicia Keyes)

7. WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
-12 Days of Christmas (Bing Crosby) :)

8. WHAT IS 2+2?
-What Manner of Love (Watermark)

9. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
-You (Waterdeep)

10. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
-Baby, I Love Your Way (Bob Marley) funny.

11. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
-Blessed Assurance (Shane & Shane) this is true.

12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
-In Repair (John Mayer) I hope not.

13. WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
-On Our Side (Chris Tomlin)

14. WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
-Baby I'm Amazed By You (Lonestar) this is possibly true

15. WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
-The Glories of Calvary (Sovereign Grace) ain't that the truth

16. WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
-Gold Digger (Kanye) that is really funny to me

17. WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
-I Want It All (Shane & Shane) man, oh man

18. WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
-Oh Lord Your Love (Caedmon's Call) shouldn't be

19. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
-Praise To the Lord, The Almighty (Christy Nockels)

20. WHAT'S THE WORST THING THAT COULD HAPPEN?
-The Little Girl of Mine (Ray Charles)

21. HOW WILL YOU DIE?
-Halloween (Dave Matthews) that's freaky

22. WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET?
-When I Think About The Lord (Shane & Shane)

23. WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH?
-Be Thou My Vision (Covenant Life)

24. WHAT MAKES YOU CRY?
-Wonderful Maker (Chris Tomlin) true

25. WILL YOU EVER GET MARRIED?
-Beat It (Michael Jackson) nooooooooo!!

26. WHAT SCARES YOU THE MOST?
-Hearts of Servants (Shane & Shane)

27. DOES ANYONE LIKE YOU?
-Warehouse (Dave Matthews)

28. IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
-Rich Young Ruler (Derek Webb)

29. WHAT HURTS RIGHT NOW?
-Belief (John Mayer)

30. WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
-Walking in Memphis (Billy Joel)

hilarious

this made me laugh a lot at work. thanks rauschers.

This wasn't how I pictured it...

Last Christmas, when I found out that Casey, one of my best friends, was pregnant, I was so excited! I got a phone call later in the evening on Christmas from Dan and he shared about one of the gifts Casey had gotten him and then he said something about "when I have a child...which might be sooner, rather than later." I sort of paused because sometimes when you hear words like that, you instantly go to "Are y'all pregnant?!," however, I didn't want to jump to conclusions since I knew that they weren't really "trying" at the time. Finally, after a few more moments of neither of us talking, I said it... "Dan, are y'all pregnant?" Yes. They were. It wasn't how I pictured it.

He shared the story of how Casey told him about their coming little one.
I cried and I heard the sounds of my other friends who were there with them while I was in the mountains, back home, with my family. I am thankful for my family, of course, but I was sad I couldn't be there for the occasion. I thought I would be there with them when they would tell us they were going to have their first baby. It just wasn't how I pictured it.

As the months went by, Casey had some physical sickness, but mainly, fears and restlessness as she pursued the thoughts and changes in becoming a mother. I think we all think we're going to be good at it when we get our chance. Its tempting to believe that since I'm older than most who are having kids these days, that when my turn comes, I'll have it figured out and I'll get to have this smooth, question-free pregnancy... Casey is the oldest of 9 children and has so much knowledge... but she still had fears, worries, concerns. It just wasn't how I pictured it.

The spring came and it was finally time for them to find out the gender of this precious gift being knit together in her womb. Because of scheduling, Kristin and I were able to figure a way to go with them to the appointment to find out. What a gift! The doctor said some funny, but awkward things (that we all still laugh about to this day) and finally, it was time. That sound came... and I cried. However, the little baby just wouldn't position itself so we could see the gender. The doctor tried and tried and finally, he just suggested they wait it out a few more weeks and come to try again. It just wasn't how I pictured it.

Dan and Casey did some research and found out about a place, Prenatal Peek, and again, we waited and hoped to find out more... but instead, left feeling discouraged because the baby wouldn't cooperate, and the nurse was probably saying more than she should have. She mentioned the spine to us, but then basically left us in our own stewing thoughts by dropping comments like "well, I can't see the whole spine, so that might be spina bifida." You can't just drop comments like that if you don't know or aren't ready to share more information. It was very upsetting. It definitely wasn't how I pictured it.

The summer came and God made a way for Dan and Casey to move downtown... to the house right beside us! We were so happy! It felt like we weren't going to have to miss any of the fun details now! In early June, they got a call from their doctor who said the nurse at Prenatal Peek had called with some concerns she had during their second try there to find the gender. The doctor's office decided it was time to run some tests and get some higher level ultrasounds done.
The results were silencing. It wasn't how I pictured it.

The rest of the summer was spent in a flurry of doctor's appointments, decisions, and emotions. We prayed and prayed for understanding and clarity. Dan and Casey fought for joy and normalcy and waited. There was genetic counseling, doctor changes, hospital changes, the works. It wasn't how I pictured it.

Casey used this time to really reach out and blog often about all the appointments and be a good source of knowledge for those of us trying to follow the details of this soon coming one. My niece or nephew. She wrote a letter to the baby that still makes me cry. I write letters sometimes to my future husband or children, but they are always attached to the assumption that they will exist. That God has no other plan than to give them to me. This was very eye-opening to me. It wasn't how I pictured it.

Finally, we got to see a few more photos of Sweet Baby.


Even still, as the picture shows, the identity was kept from us.
At this point, it was much safer to choose the option of having the amniocentesis done. Previously, because of the risks involved with the womb, they had decided against having it (even though that meant they wouldn't have to wait anymore on the gender) because they wanted to protect the baby's life as long as possible. The womb was safe and they wanted to keep it that way.

The Sunday before the amnio, we had a baby shower for Casey. Because there were so many unknowns, we wanted to devote much of the time to prayer and singing. We also had a money tree available for gifts. What a blessing to be a part of a church who pours out on one another in times of need. It was really special.
Here's the quilt several of us made for Casey.

So, Casey had the amnio. They were told that full results wouldn't be known for about 2 weeks. This could clear up most unknowns about the Trisomy possibilities as well as the definite gender of the baby. However, God saw fit to answer one big question the very next day.
Asher Daniel Chappell. They were having a boy.

Our hearts rejoice and we cried and worshiped. What a gift! This was Tuesday, August 5th.

On Saturday morning, August 9th, several us met for breakfast at Big Ed's in downtown Raleigh. I had never been, but Alicia's dad was visiting for the weekend from Florida, and he really loves that place. Alicia had it planned and after the gym, Heather and I met the rest of the group over there. It was fun, and we just ate and laughed and talked about this funny little boy named Asher.

I left the restaurant and went on to my part-time job at church.

With just about 1 hour or so left of work to do, I get a phone call.
It's Dan.

"Casey's water broke. We're going to the hospital."

I gasped. I couldn't believe it! She was just about 3 weeks early at this point.
As I was getting of the phone with Dan, Kristin called. "Casey's water broke." I told her that Dan had just called me and I was on my way home. When I drove up, Casey was putting her bag in the trunk. We both looked at each other with amazed surprise. It was exciting and scary at the same time. The time was here - but early. It wasn't what I pictured.

Kristin and I followed (for all of about 2 miles) behind Dan) then had to stop for gas. I'm convinced we couldn't have caught him anyway. I understand.
We got ahold of Heather (to have her call the community group) and Alicia (who was at the gym with her dad) and kept on our way. We talked on the phone to people the rest of the way to UNC-Chapel Hill Hospital - everyone needed directions and information. :) Thankfully, God kept us both patient with folks.

We arrived and checked in. We gathered in the waiting room with Dan's parents and watched as God brought more and more friends in to take part. We cried, we prayed, we laughed, we ate... a lot. Dan and I still laugh about his tray in the hospital cafeteria. What a random mix (and plethera!) of food. Ha Ha. Nervousness.

Casey was just beautiful. She was waiting in triage for a while because had snacked on some M&M's in the afternoon after telling Kristin she just wasn't feeling that great. (This was before her water broke.) I went back to see her and we just listened to Asher's heartbeat and chatted about how amazed we were and how grownup this felt. It was really special.

I tried to keep up their blog for the hundreds (I'm sure!) people who were watching and waiting for the news. Finally, they scheduled her C-Section for 8:00. At 8:30, Dan called and said they were finally getting things ready and he was about to go back.

We fell to our knees. From 8:30-9:00 we prayed to the Creator of Life. We pleaded for Asher's life. We pleaded for Casey's life. We begged God for comfort for Dan and steady hands for the hospital staff.

Shortly after the birth, Dan walked into the room.
He was so calm and looked as if he had just watched a miracle. He had. His son had been born.

At 9:08 on 8/09/08, Asher Daniel Chappell born at 5 pounds 5 ounces, 17 inches long.

He only lived for about a minute.
This definitely wasn't how I pictured it.

We wept together and looked at photos Dan had taken from the operating room. The first Chappell family photos. He was so little and just so beautiful.

We spent some time waiting together and crying. We updated friends and family and waited to be able to go back to see Casey and Asher. Finally it was time.

When I pictured the first time I would hold this precious one, I never thought it would be like this. I always imagined tears, but I wanted to see victory in life. I wanted to hold him and proclaim God's victory over sickness in his life. This wasn't how I pictured holding him for the first time.


God chose something different. He chose to glorify His name in a whole different way.

The days that followed were painful and tiring. We visited Casey everyday and tried our hardest to serve them and pray for them. We slept little and cried often. Our bodies were weak and we were very weary. The day after the birth, I went to church and participated in one of the sweetest moments our church has experienced. You see, we are one baby-making church. Asher was to be one of 14 new babies to come to TCC in the year.
Now there are even more. Not less, more! God is glorious.
Our Pastor, Sean Cordell, who labored with us at the hospital for hours as well, stood before his congregation to declare the good works of the Lord. That week, God had given TCC three babies.

~Josiah James was born to Jeremy and Amanda Massey on Sunday, August 3rd.
~Asher Luke was born to Adam and Stephanie Saxon on Thursday, August 7th.
~Asher Daniel was born to Dan and Casey Chappell on Saturday, August 9th... but was returned to Jesus moments later.

Some folks gasped, most just burst into tears like me.
Pastor Sean immediately reminded the church that we still rejoice because God is perfect. He did not make a mistake in this life.
He had us gather in groups and pray for Dan and Casey. While this was going on, Dan and Casey were saying goodbye to their sweet one for the last time. They were able to keep him overnight and woke up for family devotions before having him carried away. I'm quite certain that this was not how they had pictured it.

We prepared for the memorial service and burial. Family was coming from out of town and many many hand were working tirelessly on the details of the week.

The service was amazing. About 500 people were there to worship the Creator and thank him for this gift of life. Dan shared from the podium about his life as a father - and how Casey had never been more beautiful to him than those last 37 weeks. It was very special and the music and preaching were water for our souls.

There were so many people there who some of us hadn't seen in a long time. God is faithful.

Now, it's been three months.
Dan and Casey are still fighting for joy in all things and are living their lives in pursuit of a great God who has not left them nor forsaken them. Some days are really hard and most days, I just don't know what to say to them.

Kristin shared beautifully about the ideas she had in watching this little one grow. I had some of the same visions... thinking on how fun it would be to have them so close and be able to grab him up and tickle him, play with him, shower him with gifts and toys... I feel like I had so many things to tell him.

And now, when I want to see him, I have these...





I don't get to watch him outgrow his baby clothes, learn to potty, play with Blue the dog, catch a ball, have his first birthday... This isn't how I pictured it.

But I am sure of one thing. God did not make a mistake.
He has not left Dan and Casey.
He has not forgotten them.
Their grief is not wasted.

And we will see Asher again.
He is safe.

That didn't last long

You had to be FAST if you wanted to see that pinky layout before.
I'm MUCH happier with this one.

thoughts?

I'm considering sticking with this for a bit... convince me otherwise?

a little too pink?

thoughts?

i don't know if i can do this much pink...

(p.s. - for those who've asked... i will put my bloglist back up once i pick a theme for the blog - it doesn't transfer, so it's just too much work to do everytime i change the background).

comments?

I got tagged...

I was tagged by Kelly at Fruit of the Womb ... a friend of mine from several years back...

THE RULES:
* Link your tagger and list these rules on your blog.
*Share 7 little known facts about yourself on your blog.
* Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
* Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

1. I am newly addicted to Tetris on Facebook.

2. I am constantly considering the kinds of things/decor/colors I would like to have in a house if I ever get to buy my own.

3. I am very, very afraid of thunderstorms - especially the really loud ones at night. It's sad for me because my roommates really like watching them, windows open, etc... the works. I could crawl up and cry!

4. I super-love office supplies!

5. I sell Avon.

6. I love to travel! Anywhere!

7. And for those of you who don't know or who aren't around here... I've lost 43 pounds so far. ;)

I tag:
Dawn and Jarrod (the duo)
Sheley and Chris (the duo)
Betsy and Britt (the duo)
Kathleen and Jason (the duo)
Cary and Jason (the duo)
Samantha and Jeremy (the duo)
Joy and Zane (the duo)

as in... both of you have to do it!

Enjoy! :)

Change Number Two

Not sure this is really where I was headed in my thoughts, but I don't hate this.

What are your thoughts on this layout instead?

ch...ch...ch...chaaaangesss...

I'm working on trying a few new layouts for my blog and trying some different things - don't be alarmed. I know that the 3 of you who actually read my blog probably won't mind, but I just wanted to make a note that something crazy isn't happening, it's just me trying some things.

:)

Happy weekend!

p.s. - feel free to comment here and there when you see something you like, don't like, etc!

I wondered what a better computer might do for me...

I also think I need to slow down... and not try to finish the test at record speed.

but i'm glad i'm not as color-dumb as the test revealed last night...

does anyone else get cross-eyed doing this test?

I know you haven't heard from me in a while...

And I have a lot to share about the last 2 months (almost) since I blogged... the day Casey had Asher.

For now, let's reaquaint you with me with a little fun.

I heard about this color test from Molly's friend Danielle, and I was shocked!

I don't think I did very well... but you know, I also don't really understand the results...

Casey and Asher

Casey's water broke around 2 this afternoon. Several of us are here at UNC-Chapel Hill Hospital waiting. She's doing okay and not having any contractions right now. They are checking her and Dan is in and out of triage talking to us. I'll update when I can.

Pray!

don't call PETA...

i'm pretty certain this is a fake dog. Things aren't what they seem... except that you're getting to see Part Two of what happened while we were at the beach. Remember Part One?

I really love funny blogs

Back in November, I posted this.

Apparently, it spurred on another blogger to create a site... Cake Wrecks. I don't know who Jen is, but she seriously makes me laugh a lot at these cakes.

oh man. so funny.

Yes, we are all in our 20's...

a couple of us are almost 30, in fact.

believe it or not.

This past week, the three of us girls went away with some friends for a couple of days to relax. Alicia, of course, needed help watching Poucha. We came home to some very interesting things... but tonight, more was revealed to us.

Funny Graphs

If you like graphs... and things that are funny... you should check this site out.

I heard about it from The Responsible Puppet. He generally makes me laugh a lot. And think.

Anyway, just as he shared - be prepared when you go to the site... some of them can be offensive. Otherwise, you can laugh like me at ones like this:


more graph humor and song chart memes

I'm gonna miss this girl...

I really love 1 Peter...

So that you can join us in prayer...

Please pray.

These are my dear, dear friends.

Read the blog - and stay up to date. Care for them with your comments!

When you live where I live...

you DON'T want to be alone in the morning trying to make breakfast and hear what caused this...

It was so loud! I scream at scary things anyway... but this made me laugh at myself.

Hilarious

Sometimes I find out about things you can do on the web. Fun things like signatures (from Molly), or meme's from Ronnica. Today... this one is from Dawn.



Face Transformer. Hilarious!



Don't be alarmed at these photos... and I pray no one is offended... but I think they are so funny!



Here's the original photo I used... it's the only one I had on this computer...

Baby Nicole: i'm not sure what's most frightening about this picture... the tiny eyebrows, the fact that i'm wearing make up, or all those teeth?

Child Nicole: i don't know what makes this a child-like picture. eek.

Teenage Nicole: ditto for this one. what's teenagish about this?

Old Nicole: old. i see it. whoa! wrinkles! but apparently i just let my grey roots grow and grow and just don't ever get those dark ends cut off...

These are a little more odd:

African-Caribbean Nicole: i'm not sure what's going on with my gums - but i'm pretty sure that this is fake tan, instead. look at my eyebrows.

East Asian Nicole: no comment, i suppose.

West Asian Nicole: lesser of a fake tan.

Man-Nicole: oh. my. gosh. but apparently, if i were a man, i could swing a role in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy.

and now... some artsy ones:

this one is my favorite artsy one. don't you want this above your mantle? a giant print of it?

anyway - i hope you enjoy... and laugh.

Amazing!

Wow... what skills!

They don't want you to embed on your site, so you have to just go to the YouTube site to see it.

that's just cool...

Sweet, Sweet Baby Girl...

I just can't wait until she comes to visit!

(who knows if we'll make it that long... I may just have to go there and get her!)

Find Your Spot

So Ronnica really made me want to find my spot. You can too!

Here's the top 24 places suggested for me to live... very interesting - (my comments are in red after each one):

Norfolk, Virginia - Heart of the Hampton Roads. This spot was the only American city completely destroyed and rebuilt in the Revolutionary War; a British cannonball in St. Paul's Church wall is a reminder…
I've never visited this city, but I think I know several people from there!

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Big City on the Plains. Located in the heart of America, visitors to this town can use water taxis to visit restaurants and shops in the famous Bricktown district…
I wonder if Ronnica likes this one for me.

Nashville, Tennessee - Music City, U.S.A. - Though best known for its music, this spot also boasts the Hermitage, home to Andrew Jackson, Americas first president from the wild "West"…
I could join Alicia's other friend Nicole.

Cincinnati, Ohio - The Queen City - This big Ohio city with the small-town feel is home to baseball's first professional team: the Reds started in 1869…
My aunt and uncle used to live outside this city. I visited there... but don't remember loving it.

Toledo, Ohio - Glass City of the Great Lakes - Michigan and Ohio were ready to go to war over possession of this town in 1835; President Jackson awarded it to Ohio…
That sounds like a place where people on tv live.

El Paso, Texas - Where the Sun Always Shines - This ultimate "Old Southwest" city actually has a minor-league ice hockey team, the Buzzards…
down in the west Texas town of El Paso... i can hear my grandpa on the guitar in my head right now

Carlisle, Pennsylvania - The Waterfront Capital - The Rockville Bridge near this Pennsylvania town was built in 1901 and is still the longest stone arch bridge in the world…
the bridge sounds cool... not really

Minneapolis-St Paul, Minnesota - Wealth of the Twin Cities - Enjoy Broadway productions or local gems in this city which features more theater seats per capita than any other city outside New York…
i've been there - and know people there... so that could be fun

Charlotte, North Carolina - The Queen CityHome to First Union and Bank of America, this spot is renowned as a financial center…
it's like home, sort of. (i live in Raleigh, but i'm from western north carolina and have spent lots and lots of time in Charlotte)

St. Louis, Missouri - Wonder of the Modern World - The Sporting News recently named this the best sports city in North America…
well, okay. that's a cool arch they've got...

Seattle, Washington - The Emerald City
The game "Pictionary" was developed by a waiter in this town in 1986…
sleepless?

Cleveland, Ohio - The New American City - This city is the home to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum…
again. for tv people.

Columbus, Ohio - A Capital City - The bold Neighborhood Pride initiative in this Ohio city is building community while making the city safer and cleaner...
what is up with all these ohio cities?!

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - City of Three RiversThe world's first all-motion picture theater, the "Nickelodeon," opened in this steel city in 1905…
that could be cool

Kansas City, Missouri - City of Fountains - Residents of this city have access to all the lip-smackin', finger-lickin' barbecue they can get at more than 90 local barbecue joints…
no way. no how. they have a horrible airport... right julie?

New York City, New York - The City That Never SleepsThis great city was once known as New Amsterdam, until the British seized it from Dutch settlers in 1664...
NOW we're talking!!!

Chesapeake-Virginia Beach, Virginia - The Southern Tidewater RegionThis Virginia beach town's annual Neptune Festival features sports competitions, an arts and crafts show, and a Grand Ball…
see my notes for Norfolk

Detroit, Michigan - The Motor City - The first State Fair in the nation was held in this Michigan city in 1849…
nah... that place is just an air hub for me. although i did visit a very special family in Ann Arbor once at UofM Children's Hospital

Bergen-Passaic, New Jersey - Better than the Big Apple - Just west of the Hudson River, this area offers high-quality family-friendly communities within easy reach of The Big Apple…
better than the big apple? i wonder if the folks in ny know that's their logo

Long Island, New York - The Great Island - This largest island on America's East Coast offers an incredible variety of cultures and landscapes…
yay again!

Augusta, Georgia - Georgia’s Garden City - The Masters golf tournament is held in this Georgia town each year…
i'm not into golf... but i do love my friends from augusta!

Where's your spot?! :)

Sometimes at night...

I get distracted.
It could be any number of things that stop me from going to sleep.

Like these things:

A spinning ceiling fan
the television...

You get the picture, right?

Well, the time comes to go to bed last night... and I walk in my room. I'm obviously looking around the room because something looks odd. Can you see it?

Up there.

On the wall. Above the window! That's right. A bug. A HUGE ROACH. AHHHHHH. It's not moving...
I stand there for a few moments trying to figure out what to do. I consider my options. There are none, really. That thing must die before I go to sleep. Die all the way dead.

So, Alicia is gone and Kristin has already gone to bed... but we share a wall, so I figured that if I started throwing things at the other wall, she's going to hear it and get up anyway...

So, I consider my weapon of choice... thank you Old Navy.

I decide that it's best if I go ahead and get the flops ready and go tell Kristin that sounds will be coming...they may be loud and there is probably going to be squealing. Ew.

She is so kind. She doesn't even hesitate... she says, "I'm coming to help you." She comes straight to my room and develops a plan to stand on my furniture and crush the monster with a cardboard box top that was in my floor. WOW! How thankful! She was so calm and just got right up there and did it.

She moved the box top and of course... the bug is gone. What?

I was watching her and the box and the wall the WHOLE time! What's the deal? She stays up there a little bit and finally, she sees it. It did fall, only half dead on the nightstand below. That's right. Half dead. Remember what I said before, though? The only option is for it to be dead dead before I go to sleep.

So, she gets down and tells me not to look. She handled everything like a champ and I went to sleep just fine!

Finally!

Although they aren't technically gone yet, I posted about my "Getting Rid #8" and "Getting Rid #9"

Check it out at http://iamalmostthirty.blogspot.com/

:)

Hey! That's cool...

An author I follow just posted on a book I just finished reading.

:o) that's cool.
and yes, the book is fantastic!

it's settled

i must marry someone british so that my children can sound like this.

60 Things

This is super long, so I'm pacing myself...
But Dawn over at Mom 2 My 6 Pack (which is one of the most hilarious blogs I read) did this... and I laughed so much at her answers (some of which I kept for myself), that it made me want to make you laugh in the same way... so enjoy.

No pressure to actually get this done, but I'm tagging Donna, Ronnica, Mischia, Amber, and Stacie - because SOME of you need to update your blog! :)


60 Things You Possibly Didn't Know About Me

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now? a bunch of supplies for the birthday club at work, my folding camp chair, and trash, i'm sure

2. When was the last time you threw up? yesterday, actually

3. What's your favorite curse word? i don't have a "favorite"

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today? Kristin, the singers on my Pandora, any random person I walked past at work already

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? getting in my car to be at work at 8.

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? reading blogs

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now? sitting right where I am, I'm sure... working on my work projects. there are so many of them. i'm taking a bread.

8. Have you ever been to a strip club? nope

9. What is the last thing you said aloud? "oh, okay."

10. What is the best ice cream flavor? yes.

11. What was the last thing you had to drink? a can of Mt. Dew. But I'm opening a bottle of water RIGHT NOW... I promise!

12. What are you wearing right now? khakis, turtleneck, and my cutie new(est) shoes from Target

13. What was the last thing you ate? eek. Girl Scout Cookies.

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? not this week. yet.

15. When was the last time you ran? age 7

16. What's the last sporting event you watched? if you mean live, i watched about a minute of the Super Bowl... otherwise, clip of the UNC/Duke came the other week

17. What's the last thing you attended that required a ticket? i guess the movies...

18. Who is the last person you emailed? Tracey/Olga/Stephanie about my week's schedule

19. Ever go camping? i have. bleh.

20. Do you have a tan? um. no.

21. What do you prefer: Natural Sun or the Tanning Bed? The Sun - it means I'm laying down somewhere resting (or playing in the water which i LOVE!)

22. What's the best way to tan? - like i said, Sun - but specifically, playing in the water because then you don't get too hot!

23. What's your favorite drink? soda in general - specifically, Dr. Pepper.

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw? only if its provided with the cup

25. What did your last IM say? probably "bye" or "i love you" or something like that... :)

26. Are you someone's best friend? I sure hope so! :)

27. What are you doing tomorrow? working a lot - both jobs on Tuesday

28. Where is your mom right now? hmm. funny you should ask. she's probably somewhere around PA right now. she was headed there from the Knoxville, TN area. (she's a truck driver)

29. Look to your left, what do you see? immediately, my cell phone.. followed closely by a tiny pencil and documents for the statistical report i'm working on.

30. What color is your watch? brown, i guess. otherwise known as my cell phone.

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia? kangaroos and the guy on American Idol this year, Michael Johns. yay.

32. Would you consider plastic surgery? yes!

33. What is your birthstone? depends on what list you use. i prefer the pearl.

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? drive-thru.

35.How many kids do you want? at least two. hopefully more.

36. Do you have a dog? a dog lives in my house.

37. Last person you talked to on the phone? Tracey, I think.

38. Have you met anyone famous? the weather guy from ABC news in Ashville when I was little. I don't remember if I've met anyone else... but I've seen several in person... most recently Ellen Degeneres, Barbara Walters, Serena Williams, dj Jonny (from the Ellen show last year), Scott someone - I forgot, the top 10 from last year's American Idol tour, etc etc. :)

39. Any plans today? just work and then home. we'll see what else

40. How many states have you lived in? just NC.

41. Ever go to college? a few of them, actually

42. Where are you right now? at work

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now? my lack of discipline

44. Last song listened to? The Roses (Caedmon's Call) is playing right now on Pandora

45. Is that your favorite band/singer? one of them, yes, actually

46. Are you allergic to anything? cats, dust, mold

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? reef flip flops. they are super worn out, though

48. Are you jealous of anyone? sometimes. :(

50. Is anyone jealous of you? um. i doubt it.

51. What time is it? 11:35 right now

52. Do any of your friends have children? sure!

53. Do you eat healthy? sometimes.. in addition to the unhealthy things i eat. :(

54. What do you usually do during the day? work. email. facebook. talk on the phone. etc.

55. Do you hate anyone right now? nah

56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? mmhmm

57. When? when i answer my cell phone.

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 29

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags? once when i was super young. like a toddler, i mean.

60. How did you get one of your scars? i fell out of a high chair. under my eye.

Happy Birthday Alicia!

(you can click on the photo below for more pictures from the suprise bowling party!)

I LOVE YOU!

My stressful week...

So at the end of 2007, I was tasked with some additional duties at my job.


I am not the support/contact person for the NC Child Care Commission.



You can check out more about what they do... but basically, they meet quarterly and I am one of the folks in charge of organizing the meeting, planning for discussion, assisting the commissioners with whatever they need as well as the DCD staff who serve as additional support and expert help!





here's a little picture of the room set up.

in the bottom left corner is my little station - laptop for minute taking, tissues (just in case!), files and folders of all the papers that will be referenced during the meeting - etc.

In the room, you'll see each spot laid out - with each commissioner having a specific seat at the table based on what term they are serving on the commission.

The podium is for those who will address the members - our Division Director, afternoon presentation participants, etc. In the middle, there's a laptop and projector set up for those presenters and on the bottom of that cart is a really fancy recording system that we use to record the meeting. There are tiny black microphones positioned just right all over the table - with one on the podium.

I checked and checked and checked the system after the meeting was over and it appeared to record just fine. That will help me tremendously when I go to do the minutes more efficiently.

Anyway - just wanted to share a little!

:)

Happy Birthday Kristin

I love you!

(you can click on the picture for some more shots from the birthday dinner)

hahahaha

is it just me?

imagine blonde wavy hair instead.

Southeast Asia

if this post sounds odd, i apologize... i am simply posting the support letter that was written for my aunt, her friend and myself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Family and Friends,
We pray that your holidays were fun and filled with lots of love and sugar cookies! We had nice visits with family and enjoyed a couple of days off from work.

We look forward to the New Year, celebrating with friends and family on New Year’s Eve, and seeing what God has in store for our life. We want to take a moment of your time and share about an opportunity that we have to serve and ask that you might pray about how you can be involved!

As the winter approached, we, Nicole and Lora, began seriously discussing the possibility of visiting Lora’s daughter (Nicole’s cousin, Roslyn). Both of us desire to encourage Roslyn while she’s working in Southeast Asia and thought that it might be a grand adventure to try it out. Neither of us has either traveled like that without a group, so we talked about all of our options. After hearing about some of the opportunities that we might be given while going to visit her, adding a third friend, Shelly, an RN, to the team seemed perfect!

Our plan is to fly out on March 13th and return Easter Sunday, March 23rd. While we’re there, we have a main focus goal of loving Roslyn well and seeking to encourage her by spending time with her, praying for her, pampering her and seeing what life is like each day so that when she returns to the States, she’ll always have a sounding board who can somewhat understand.

Also while we’re there… we plan to reach out to some other groups and do what we can… There is a national couple in Roslyn’s town that does a lot of ministry work. They have a center for slum children (they help to take care of them, make sure they’re in school, etc.)… They aren’t orphans, their parents are just having a hard time. They also have a sewing center for the moms. With that said, we hope to be able to visit the children and love on them, visit the slum where their parents live and take advantage of some ministry opportunities with the moms.

There is a need for training and teaching with these women (about 100-150) about things like hygiene, malnutrition and eating properly. We will also be able to share with the women about how they should value and care for their children. We may even be able to visit another orphanage, and have a parents' night out for some of the other friends living there. It will definitely be an eye-opening experience in many ways.

Of course, this kind of trip has costs attached to it as well as other needs like collecting items for the women and children. We are gathering a list of these things, so if you feel that this is a way you can help, please let us know. If you are able to help financially with the expenses of this journey, it is most appreciated! It will cost each of us around $2000 for flight and other travel expenses. If you can help, you can mail a donation to any of the three of us. Please make your check payable to Bat Cave Baptist Church. In the memo line, write “Southeast Asia Trip.”
~~~~~~~~~~~
For obvious internet reasons, I'm not actually posting my address (or theirs) on here... but would be happy to send it to you if you are able and interested in helping us.

Thanks!

a few reasons why i do what i do on Sunday mornings...

Thankfully, God provided an opportunity for me to teach this year (and hopefully for a long time to come) in the Older Infant/Young Toddler classroom at our church.

Don't you want to squish them? So fun!

My first Martini

i know it's silly. and i don't have much to write about it... but just thought i'd share that i had my first martini. what you see is pretty much how i left it, too. ha.

pretty, huh?

Well, since I'm almost 30...

... I decided to make a new blog.
I'm not getting rid of this one - but you're welcome to follow some changes in my life/home, etc by going here:

I Am Almost Thirty...

enjoy!