Playing House

This weekend my church had an overnight marriage conference and I got to babysit my cousin's little boy, Abel.  We had lots of fun together:)  We went to Pizza Hut for supper then came home for bathtime and playtime before bed.  I'm used to getting up early but I'm not used to getting up early with a child who needs attention right away so that was the only thing I was a little nervous about.  But the little dear slept until almost 8:00!  I was quite pleased.

Saturday we spent our day reading lots and lots of books, (I think I have "The Icky Sticky Frog" memorized now), visiting my nieces, going to Caleri's for lunch, watching Mater's Tall Tales and playing with the giant train track.
While we were visiting my nieces, she decided she wanted to play wedding.  She was a lot more into it that Abel was!  And I really like this picture of both of them but I took it when my lens was still fogged up from being out in the cold.  And of course there was no recreating the moment once my camera was cleared up.

We were just about to take a picture of the two of us but right when I snapped it, in walked his mommy and daddy so there went that idea.  But we sure had fun while it lasted!

Last Minute Quick Trip

Last Sunday I was on the phone with Devin and the conversation went something like this:
Devin: "So when are you gonna come back down to visit?"
Me: "Um, probably not until sometime in March."
Devin: *long pause*.......... "That's a really long time."

So, after thinking about it, I decided on Wednesday that I would quick run down to Alabama because this weekend was the only weekend I had free between now and March.  And that conversation made me lonesome for Devin.  So now I'm back, it's midnight, I'm tired and I really should be in bed sleeping, but I'm tired of seeing the droopy plant picture so I thought I'd post real quick.

While I was packing, I was informed that the kickboxing class I used to go to was scheduled for Saturday morning and Jessica invited me to go with her.  You have no idea how excited I was.  So I dug out my gloves and wraps and started my weekend out right.  We tried to do a serious tough girl face but quite honestly, I don't think either one of us is really that tough.  But it sure was fun to go to that class again.

After lunch I picked up Devin for lunch then we spent the afternoon together.  We decided to take a picture while we were sitting in the car wash.  You don't realize quite how dirty salt makes your car until yours is the only one around that is salt crusted.  So that's one of the things we did after lunch.  My hair I blame on the wind and putting a hoodie on.  His hair?  Well, let's just say that if I was his mother it wouldn't be long enough for pigtails.

I'm so glad I decided to go.  Quick as it was, it was just really good.  Still feels like home down there.    Saturday night there was a family there from Atlanta that I know and we all had supper together and lots of sweet fellowship.  I got home feeling really encouraged and my heart is happy:)  Good night!

Water Is Essential

I've never claimed to have a green thumb.  I probably could kill a fake plant.  I have dreams of one day having a big garden from which I can harvest the bounty and can and freeze food.  I'm not sure that dream will ever be a reality:) 
When I started working at Visiting Angels, I inherited a plant that was left by the last care coordinator.  The poor thing gets forgotten and neglected all too easily.  This morning, after being gone for three days I was greeted by a very droopy plant.

But, with a little water and a little coaxing, it was soon perked up almost back to normal!  Yes, water is most definitely essential.

2011 Highlights

Well the original plan was to do a month by month recap of 2011.  However, as I was looking through my pictures of the last year, I came to the realization that the first half of it was pretty boring and uneventful.  It mostly consisted of work.  I was at the Home for the Handicapped and while I enjoyed the actual job, I did not enjoy the hours.  Between having class two nights a week and working four nights a week, my social life left much to be desired.  So instead I'll just do highlights of the year.

The first one I'm not sure can be considered a highlight since it involved a lot of destruction, but it definitely left an impact on me.  Going down to Athens after the tornado outbreak and driving through my old neighborhood left me standing in awe of the power of God.  From both the nature side of things and the stories I heard of how he protected so many people.

A weekend trip to southern Illinois with my mom's side of the family for my cousin's wedding was a lot of fun:)

Girl's Camp is always a highlight of my year.  This year I was able to co-counsel with my good friend Katie and we were dubbed the "Pure Fashion" cabin although both of us are more comfortable in jeans and t-shirts rather than anything too fashionable.

The month of July I got to spend in Morelia, Mexico, trying to learn some Spanish.  The people I met and the things I got to do gave me an experience I will not soon forget.

Soon after getting home from Mexico (and Phoenix and Denver), Cassie and me headed out to the east coast for a much anticipated vacation.  Visiting old friends, making new friends, spending a day in Boston, a day at the Rhode Island beach and driving A LOT.

The majority of my Fall season was spent working at the grain elevator.  And yes, it is a highlight:)  Lots of long but fun hours.

Thanksgiving and Christmas were of course filled with family and friends. 

Angie is not choking her son.  She's merely trying to get him to look at the camera.

The year ended with my niece's first birthday party.  When she was born last December, there were a few things causing concern for her health but God healed her completely and she is happy and healthy as can be!  Don't let the chubby cheeks fool you though; she's really just a little peanut, only in the 15th percentile.  But such a sweet peanut!

Here's to another year!

JUGS

Our annual JUGS night was tonight:)  Just Us Girls Shopping for those who are wondering.  Although the shopping has pretty much gone by the wayside and has turned into just eating out.  But JUGE just doesn't have the same feel.  My aunt and all the neices have done it for about 20 years now.  So, tonight there were going to be 8 of us.  Then one got sick.  So Bev decided to stay home with her.  Then another decided since they weren't going, she was just going to go home.  But the rest of us were all geared up to go so we still did.  It was a bummer that it didn't happen like it was supposed to but we still had fun.  And at one point in our supper, the waiter came to our table with a message saying that Bev had called the restaurant and bought us 2 desserts to share between us!  Those clean plates you see in the picture?  It took us about 1 minute to devour the molten chocolate lava cake that had been occupying them.

Maybe next year we'll all be together again:)

Good Friends And A Fan Club

Whenever Erin D makes a lengthy trip back to the states, we usually try to do something together with us two and her cousin/my friend Lisa.  Monday night we met at Olive Garden (yum) for supper.  It was there that I invited them to come to our Christmas program we were having at church on Wednesday.  They asked if they could hold up signs cheering me on while I was singing.  There were so many people there that I never got to see them after the program but....

(picture is at the restaurant)

when I got out to my car later that night I found it decorated with these signs:)  Now, they were sitting way up in the back of the balcony so they could have actually gotten away with holding them up but it's a good thing they didn't.  I would have busted my gut and never been able to sing!  But it was really funny to see these on my car.  Those two never cease to make me laugh and brighten my day:)

Thursday I found out Mark and Bekah were up from Athens and would be in Bloomington for lunch on Friday so we arranged to meet at FlatTop Grill. (another yum)  It was really fun, but so crowded and busy that my lunch break ended up being almost 2 hours.  And I even left the restaurant a lot earlier than they did!  But oh so worth it. 

My dad has been in Haiti since last Thursday and he's coming home tonight.  He hasn't been gone any longer than he usually is but I guess since it's Christmas time it seems longer.  I'm ready for him to be home.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Happenings Of Late

FIESTA TIME!!!

It was good to see Jarrin again and get together for her birthday the night before Thanksgiving..... complete with a pinata (yes, I know the "n" needs a squiggly, I just don't know how to do it on here). 

Aeschleman Thanksgiving- having a little bit of fun with the candy corn, playing games, watching the kiddos all run around and even getting an airplane ride!  I haven't done that since I was a wee one:)

Somewhere in there was a game night where I left my camera in the car and didn't get any pictures.  Then a group of us went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.  We split up for supper and once we were at the concert it wasn't good picture taking environment so I only got this one from the restaurant.  It was a good time though.  The music gets a little loud but I had neon pink earplugs so all was well.  Two different drivers in our clan got stopped that night- both for having a headlight out.  It was kind of comical:)

Good times, good times.

My family served lunch at church today, now I'm off to practice singing for the church Christmas program and then we have all church caroling tonight.  No Sunday afternoon nap for me today!