Weekend-O-Fun

Joel and I spent the first part of our weekend visiting his parents. I was a great guest, considering that I feel asleep on their couch about 45 minutes after we got there. But we had a nice time watching StarWars again and eating at Outback Steakhouse. It was also the first time that we went somewhere and left Stokley (I usually take him with me). He had a wonderful time at JR & Trisha's house. He came home utterly exhaughsted!

On Sunday we also went to Jaden's party which was great fun.

The party was at our house on Monday. JR, Tricia, the kids, Kelly & Josh, Joel H, Molly & Myron along with Gideon and Sadie (dogs) came over for some grilled goods. It was a great time hanging out in the sun and just being able to spend time with friends. (PS: I LOVE having friends over, so feel free to come hang out when ever we're home.)

Moms are the BEST!

My mom drove three hours to see me today. We had a fun afternoon filled with shopping and eating. --- what more can you ask for?

She also brought me lots of pictures of Olivia. As soon as I scan them, I'll post some. She's so adorable! (Can ya tell I'm a proud aunt?)

quiet evening alone

Isn't it nice just to have a quite evening at home all by yourself every once in a while?

I'm having one of those tonight. Just turn on the music softly, turn on the lamp and read a book.

What a nice night. All I need now is a good thunderstorm and it would be perfect.

My wish has come true!

For all of you who know me really well, you know that my job has had me working nights -- usually until 10 pm. Well, the end is near! This summer I only have to work until 8pm at the latest. But the BEST news is my fall schedule:

Mondays: Teach at MSU from 4-6
Tuesdays: Teach at LCC from 8-10 AM (lab/lecture), MSU from 4-6, work in the Lab from 7-9 pm as a rover
Wednesdays: Teach at MSU from 4-6
Thursdays: Teach at MSU from 4-6
Fridays: Teach at LCC from 8-10 AM

Yeah! I get to teach three classes and not at night. I'll be able to have dinner with my husband four times a week!

Picture of Olivia

If you'd like to see my new niece, click here.

You can leave a message for Tony and Jennifer and Olivia there too.

Arrgh!

ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!
Stokley ate a whole in my new black leather boots while I was in the shower! ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!ARRGH!!!!

(I can't think of a title)

Do you ever have one of those days when someone says something to you and it just ruins your whole mood, even though you're not quite sure they ment it the way you took it? Yeah, today was one of those days for me. Bummer since it's Joel and I's anniversary.

The way Mondays should be

Today was a great Monday. I laid in bed in my pjs until 11:30 watching TV and listening to the rain. There are very few days in life when I let myself slow down enough to take advantage of a day like today, but I couldn't resist today. It was a great reward after a long weekend.

For those of you who know me really well, yes, I still did manage to get a few things done today (laundry, dishes, took Stokley on a walk,& vacuumed). But it's so much nicer to do them when your in wind pants with no makeup and when your hairs not done!

Reality Check

JR won tickets to the Comedy Zone in Trippers for Friday night. So while the guys played in a poker tournament, Tricia and I went to the Comedy Club.
Wow, was that a mistake! Tricia had been there a couple of times and had really good experiences, so we were excited to go. But this time all of the comedians were horrible. After about 45 minutes (most which was spent waiting for our check) we left. We walked out of there feeling like we had just watched an X-rated movie! I've never heard such crudeness in my whole life!
Needless to say, it reminded us how lost the world is and how wonderful our husbands are!
Bummer. I was looking forward to a great night out!

Welcome Olivia Grace

Today at 4:31, my first niece, Olivia Grace Schwuchow, came into this world. She weighs 6 lbs and 8 oz. According to her proud Papa, Tony, she doesn't have much hair. When I talked to my brother, she hadn't opened her eyes yet, and hadn't been measured. Jennifer is doing really well. Once she got the epideral, things went really fast and pretty painless

I'm so excited to be an aunt!

I think the neighbors are going to kill me

Today I went out to clean my new car some, since the dealership's detailing was less than to be desired. (I'll discuss that issue at another time.) I found out a lot of things about the alarm system in my car.

1. If you leave the car unlocked, even with a door open, after 30 seconds or so, the car automatically locks and the alarm is activated.

2. After number one has happened and you are in the car and move any of the seats or anything, the alarm goes off.

3. If the car is locked and the alarm is activated and you try to open the car from inside, the alarm goes off.

So, after I set the alarm off about a half of dozen times, Joel and I read the owner's book and found out that you need to put the key in and turn the ignition to ACC mode so the alarm won't go off. Also, if the battery is taken out, you have to put a security code into the stereo to get it to play.

These are all nice features, but when you don't know about them, it can be pretty frustrating. Hopefully none of the neighbors were too upset at me since it was 10 am. (I hope they were up, if not they are now!)

Another Crisis Has Ended

Today I said goodbye to my Chevy Cavalier as we traded it in for my new 2001 Mitsubishi Galant. I was a little sad to say goodbye. We'd had a lot of good time together --- trips to college and home, trips to North Carolina and home, and an awesome stereo that my brother put in for me. But it was time for it to go.

I now have my Galant --- with a remote control starter! (that's my favorite feature of the car). I'll have to start making some new memories with it! (to see a picture, check out Joel's blog.)

No matter what, I'm really glad that the car crisis is over!

Why I love RivKids

Today I taught the younger kids large group. We sang this really fun song, called Superman, which talks about how God loves us just the way we are. Then we learned about evangelism through Philip and the Ethiopian. Later in the day, I saw some of the kids that were in my large group singing the Superman song. I was so excited. I love seeing kids take what we've taught and put it into practice.

Since we're studying about the church, the older kids have spend the last few weeks planning to build their own church. Next week they are going to begin building their models. They have room such as the Fruit of the Spirit room and the encouragement room in their churches. I love these kids!!

Kids Kamp plead

For any of you out there attending Riverview, would you like to help? Julie and I could really use your help!

Thanks!

The Baby's on its way

I just got a call from my mom who just talked with my sister-in-law Jennifer. She had an ultrasound today. The baby has moved pretty far down and Jenny's dilated 2 centimeters. If Jennifer doesn't have the baby naturally by Friday, they are going to induce her. So my first niece should be here this weekend.

However this brings a great dilemma --- I can go with my parents down to North Carolina to see her but that puts off the whole buying a car thing, I'm supposed to teach Sunday school on Sunday and have tons of stuff to do for kids kamp. What am I to do? And if I don't go, I might not see the baby until Christmas (and I think that's only if we go down there, cause I don't think their planning to come home.) I don't want to have to wait until the baby is over a year old to see her.

Daddy's Little girl

This weekend I went home to spend some time with my mom for mother's day. I arrived in Hobart about 12:30 pm on Friday and I hung out with my mom all day. We took Stokley on a long walk and later went to a mother-daughter banquet at my Gramma's church.

On Saturday, my mom had to work, so my timing didn't work out so great. But it did give me some time to spend with my dad. Stokley and I hung out with him while he washed his vehicle, then he proceeded to wash my car. He'd never done that before. Usually, I get the "it your responsiblity to keep that car clean," or lately "that should be Joel's job to wash your car." But this time he offered. I thought it was really sweet.

Then he made me breakfast, corn beef and hash, eggs and toast. Even my mom was suprised by my royal treatment.

(Yes, the car washing and the lawn mowing occured before breakfast. ((the car wash washed by 8:30 am)))

It's nice to know that I'm still Daddy's little girl! (... at least for a few more weeks until the granddaughter gets here, then I might be boosted)

Feeling Much Better

After much thought and prayer, Joel and I have come to a conclusion about our car situation. It's so nice to have some closure to this subject. I feel good about our situtation and think we're making a wise decision.

I'm done with work for a month! Yeah! I'm so looking forward to spending time with my husband and I might even get to go to North Carolina to see my first neice (if she comes on time).

Emotional Rollercoaster

Here's a snapshot of the emotional rollercoaster life I've had this week.

1. Tricia and I were excited about a book on prayer we found at Gift and Bible. We wanted something to help us with the whole prayer discussion our small group has been having (see Joel's or JR's blog). On Tuesday, I looked the author up on line and found this about him

"In 1917, Reverend Kenneth E. Hagin's mother was expecting her third child. Her husband had left her alone, money and food were gone, and she was ill. Afraid she would lose the baby, she decided to ask her parents for help. As she walked to their home, Jesus appeared to her.

Jesus told her not to fear, that the baby would be born and grow up to take part in the revival that would usher in the Second Coming of the Son of Man. This was Reverend Kenneth E. Hagin's purpose. He would not be the only one, of course, but Brother Hagin would have a part in the last great move of God's Spirit.

The healing ministry that began in 1950, God's divine commission to "teach my people faith" and the founding of RHEMA Bible Training Center have all been steps along the path to fulfilling that purpose: ushering in the last great move of God's Spirit and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. "

Yeah, sounds like that really fits into my theology! Bummer #1

2. I go to work on Wednesday and a guy I work with (who is a full timer, so somewhat above me) askes to discuss a student with me. Usually this guy has nothing nice to say. Needless to say, I was pretty scared that I had messed up big time or something. But he ended up giving me an "atta boy". He had met with a student who had failed a test three times and had a review appointment with me. He said that she was really impressed with my and my ability to explain things to her. Even though she failed the test again, it was only because of small mistakes (sign errors,etc.) He even went on further to say that there has been much discussion with the department heads about instructors not doing a good job teaching and when that is discussed in the fall meeting, I can ignore all the comments. So that made me feel better. Yeah #1!

3. The garage called us back about my car. Here's the deal. The blue book value of my car is somewhere between $500 -$800 and it would cost about $1000 for a new transmission. But i've also got a lead in the head gasket (which means future engine problems) and I'll be needing new struts soon. SO, to keep my car it would cost about $3000 (guestimate). It's not really a good idea to drop $3000 into a car worth $500. So that means Joel and I are trying to find a way to buy a new car for me. In order to do so, we'd have to cut out cable and internet use and not put in a fence for Stokley this summer. (I guess this is where I need to trust God that he'll provide the funds for us.) BUMMER #2

4. I gave my finals last night and was up to 2 am grading them. I had to get up at 6 am this morning to be ready to go get my car before Joel had to be to work. I have a full day too, so no resting until 10 pm! RELIVING COLLEGE LIFE #1

5. The freshman girls on my hall that I was an RA off graduate this Saturday. Wow, do I miss them. I miss getting to pour myself into that may girls. I miss the late night talks. I miss them. SENTIMENTAT CRYING #1

Yeah, so that's my life right now.

Almost a really bad morning

I got up this morning at 6 am so that Joel and I could both get ready before having to go take my car in to get the transmission looked at. We arrived at the garage at 8 am and found no one around. We waited and tried calling until about 8:20 with no prevail. Finally we said screw it, and decided to leave. I was so frustrated because I hate dealing with car issues. So when I make an appointment, I want it to stick so that I don't have to deal with the issue longer. Needless to say, I was not in a good mood.
On the way back to the house, Joel called me and told me the guy from the garage had called him back, apologizing for missing us. Apparently someone else had dropped their car off earlier than expected and needed a ride home. So Joel and I drove back to the garage and my car is being fixed. Joel was very excited to see my mood rise and I was relieved to have a crisis averted.

Stokley's Grounded

Well, Stokley got into his first major trouble today. While I was gone for 3.5 hours at a meeting, he chewed up Joel's glasses. All that was left was part of the front of the frames and a few small pieces of the lenses. I hope it doesn't hurt his stomach too much. He seems to be acting fine. Although, I might try giving him some salt to make him throw up. (Great thing to think about!)

But besides that, things are going ok. This is my last week of school! I'm ready for this semester to be over. Tomorrow Joel and I are taking my car in to get checked out. I think it might have some transmission problems, which won't be fun if that's the case.