I've been a little absent from here lately... sorry guys, life keeps me hopping, as usual.

School has been going pretty well lately. One of my big assignments got pushed back until next week... gives me a little more time to procrastinate . I've been doing really poorly on my tests for some reason. I've been doing great on all my written assignments and papers, but I've bombed my last couple of tests. I'm determined to ace the next couple ones. My speech class has actually been fun lately. Usually I dread speeches, but I was excited about our last one. Our topic was a how-to speech or a demonstration. I showed the class how to make a snack mix and handed some out afterward. I had a lot of fun doing it surprisingly. Its nice to think I only have a few more speeches in there.

Work has been good. I'm on the move again. Now I'm working with the 8-9 year olds and I really enjoy it. Yes, they are a good deal mouthier, but its never dull. I've really liked doing homework with them... thats probably my favorite thing. I do really miss the little ones though and its nice to see them throughout the club on and off during the day. Tomorrow we have the day off because the schools have parent-teacher conferences. I'm really excited about that! Three-day weekend!!! Woohoo!

Things on the home front are going well. Eric is loving his job at Ozark. Its really wonderful that his schedule is flexible. He is able to tailor his schedule to both of our transportation needs, which is nice. Lately my best friend has been my crock-pot. I've made everything in it. Since I don't get home until after seven every night its impossible for me to make dinner and us eat at a reasonable time. I've learned a lot of fun slow cooker recipes and dinner is ready when we get home. I've also been cooking a lot on the weekends... which I love to do. Its fun to be in the kitchen and I enjoy trying new things. I'm still really enjoying homemaking. Eric and I are doing well... its a joy and a blessing to be around him everyday. I wouldn't want to experience all of life's trials and blessings without him. Early on this week I was experiencing some old personal junk being dragged up in dreams and thoughts about the past. It's not something I'm willing to dwell on though and I've given it over to God in prayer.

I'm really looking forward to this weekend! Ashley is coming up tomorrow morning and staying with us for a little while. This will be the first weekend we've stayed in a Joplin for a while. I'm really looking forward to spending time with her... its always refreshing to be around her.

Well thats it for now. I hope everyone is doing well. School isn't much longer... can you believe it? Not too much longer until Thanksgiving! I love you guys... take care! Have a wonderful weekend!

Past time for a new update...

Life has been pretty crazy lately. My busiest weeks (school wise) came early this semester. This past week was really bad, and the next two weeks have quite a bit going on too. Fortunately after that it kind of levels off. We gave our second speech on Friday. I hate speech days... my stomach hurts from the time I get up in the morning. Its such a relief to finish up. I also had a Church History project, 2 papers and my first test. I have three more tests this week, among other things.

Work has been good. This Saturday I got to work a booth at a community expo/job fair type thing for the United Way partners. It was pretty fun and it was great getting the extra hours.

Thursday night we had the chance to go with the Abernathy's to the theater. It was To Kill a Mockingbird and Bill played a part in it. It was fun. We felt a little overdressed and young as much of the audience was older, but it was a nice break from a busy week. I was impressed with the little girl who played Scout... she must have worked really hard to remember all of her lines. Friday I had to make an emergency trip back to Arkansas. I finally got my name changed on everything... about time. I was having trouble cashing checks that had my new name and some of my ID's had my old name even though I updated my SS card. Anyway... its all fixed now. Its a relief to have that taken care of.

This weekend Eric's brother and little girl came and stayed with us. It was a lot of fun entertaining and hanging out. We were exhausted most of the time, but I enjoyed their company. We were able to catch up, eat lots of good food, and play cards. We went out Saturday night I picked up a shower gift for my sister. I'm helping my other sister and her best friend to throw her a baby shower this coming weekend. It was a lot of fun picking out her gift and wrapping it all up. I can't wait to give it to her.

The rain today was awesome... it was beautiful outside. I love raining days to curl up and relax (or do a exciting Peer Review form for Church History) . I hope you all had a great weekend too.

I'm going to get some sleep... its nice to be able to go to bed early tonight. Have fun guys! Take care!

I'm back home this weekend... but not for very long. This morning we drove back because my sister had a tea party . Recently she went to Florida to see some family and they took her to have tea. She loved it and bought a whole bunch and wanted to share with everyone. Even though I wasn't crazy about the tea the tea party was a lot of fun. We had some really great food and great conversation. Tomorrow we are having a wedding shower for my cousin's fiance. I doubt we'll hang around for very long though, it's mostly people that I don't know. Plus we have to get back to our house... lots of things to do.

I just got done scanning and uploading all of our honeymoon pictures. If you have facebook you should check them out. I also added a few more wedding pictures.

Another week of school gone. Time is going so quickly. It usually does when school and work are in full swing though. The next two weeks are going to be the most hectic of the semester. For some reason lots of tests, papers and projects all fell on these next two weeks. My exegetical is due next week... I picked an earlier date because I want to get it over with rather than having it lingering over my head at the end of the semester.

Work is going really well. This week I had to teach Smart Moves for one of my co-workers who was going to be gone. I wasn't too worried when she asked me to do it because I used to teach Smart Moves. Then I found out I was going to be teaching puberty to pre-teens. I was a little nervous about it, but it ended up going really well. We split up the boys and the girls, which made it a lot more comfortable for the girls to talk about things that really concerned them. I really enjoyed it; it was a lot of fun. I think I'm teaching another group on Monday on a different topic. Hopefully that will go just as well. Everything else has been going well too. We've been playing music for the younger group in the gym when they first arrive. It is so hilarious to watch them dance. They are so cute... its been a lot of fun.

I guess I should wrap this up... its past time for bed. I hope you all are doing well. I hope you're having a great weekend too. :) Take care!!

One week of classes down. This week went by so fast! Between new classes and a new job things flew by.

So far my favorite class is US History with Skaggs. I have LOC (sem. 2) and Church History. Then I have Speech. I'm really dreading doing 8 speeches. In fact we have one coming up this week. I can read a book to kids... I can do pageant questions on stage... I can even do job interviews, but I really am not looking forward to this. Friday we talked about public prayer and reading. We listed all the things people do wrong in public prayer and reading. I'm pretty sure he just killed any chances of anyone volunteering to pray in his class ever again. I know I don't want to now. Anyway... moving on.

The job is going pretty good. Things are getting better everyday. I know quite a few of the kids names. Its really nice working with different age groups because I'm learning names in all the age groups. Plus the kids recognize me as a staff now and are listening to me... so those are all pluses. Its gradually getting more comfortable. I was talking to one of the staff about the differences between here and the other youth programs I've worked at. One of the biggest things that sticks out is that the kids here actually need this. In NWA parents are working at Wal-Mart and Tyson, making lots of money, and just don't want to pick up their kids. Most of them are doing well in school, play lots of sports & have extra-curricular activities, and are fed well. Here, the parents don't want to spend time with their kids for personal, home reasons. For example, Mom has a new boyfriend, or Dad is a drug-dealer. A lot of them seem behind in school work and they have dinner there at the club. The kids are still the same... they still need love and attention and your time. Its just nice because it feels like I'm making a bigger difference here, like its more important here. I don't know, just an observation. I'm really enjoying it so far though.

This is the first weekend we didn't go home. It was really tough! Throughout the week I was homesick a few times. Its hard starting a new job. I know I'm great with the kids, and I know I have a lot of experience, but my fellow co-workers don't know that. So at first it was like I had to prove myself. I really missed being appreciated. This weekend we slept in and drove to Branson and Springfield. We did a little shopping and spent some time with Eric's sister in Springfield. We took her to the mall and had dinner with her. I had a really good time. Next weekend we are supposed to go back home. We have some plans over Labor Day weekend. It will be nice having a three-day weekend!

I need to get off here. I have lots of things I want to get accomplished around the house today. I love you guys... hope everyone enjoyed their first week of school! Take it easy!