25 Random Things

I was challenged to do this on my Facebook page. So, I thought I would share my list with my blog followers as well.

1. I am the mother of one VERY beautiful baby girl. She is now my guardian angel in heaven and she is missed every single day.
2. I am married to the most wonderful man.
3. I rub my eyebrows when I'm nervous, bored or thinking about something.
4. Because of the above I have rubbed bare spots into my brows that I have to use a filler to cover.
5. I love subbing for the 6th grade or higher; lower than that and I just don't have the patients
6. I'm hoping to be pregnant again in the next month or two.
7. I love blogging because I can be more honest with my feelings there than I can face-to-face
8. I absolutely love to cook and bake. If I could make a living at it it would be my dream job.
9. I can be pretty messy
10. I own ~68 pairs of shoes
11. I prefer the winter over the summer
12. I bowled 5 strikes in a row on Wii bowling
13. I hate losing
14. I am very competitive
15. My best friend lives far away and it has been that way for most of our friendship
16. I cry almost daily
17. I have cut soda out of my diet
18. I am back down to my pre-pregnancy weight but I still don't look the same
19. I hate folding laundry
20. My car hasn't been washed in almost a year
21. I love mowing the lawn
22. If I thought I could keep a garden alive, I would love to have a vegetable garden.
23. I am REALLY scared of spiders, even the tiny ones, I have screamed from fear on many occasions
24. Ever since being pregnant, I have a fear of flying
25. Since the passing of Abigayl, I have a fear of roller coasters.

Freedom of Choice Act.... scary.

I took this from my sister-in-laws site. I think it is important to know what our President is up to and fight for what we as Christians believe. We have a voice to and it's time we make ours heard just as loud as the liberals.

Obama promises us, “The first thing I’d do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That’s the first thing I’d do.” Under this plan, as outlined in the Freedom of Choice Act, it will:

(1) Lift the ban on partial birth abortions
(2) Not require information about the abortion procedure including risks and long-term effects to be given
(3) Procedures allowed to be preformed by non physicians
(4) Allow abortions without parental consent
(5) Take away a physicians right to chose not to perform an abortion
(6) Increase funding and support of organizations like Planned Parenthood that will bring certain death to 125,000 American babies in addition to the current rate of 1.2 million per year.

Take Action:
http://www.fightfoca.com

Northwest Debacle

This morning I was supposed to be on my way to the great state of Alaska. Instead, I am going to tell you about my VERY frustrating morning.

Last night I received a text that my flight on Northwest had been cancelled and I had new flight info. While trying to print my new boarding pass, I ran into a few problems. A phone call later I find out that my original flight is scheduled to leave on-time and I was put back on that flight. Yeah... Alaska here I come!!

This morning (4am) I had a text from NW that my flight was still showing on-time. Woo hoo! I proceeded to get ready so I could look pretty for my family (that matters to them). After all my primping I decided it might be a good idea to check my e-mail and flight status one more time. To my surprise, I had not one but two e-mails from NW. One stated that my flight was cancelled the other stated that it was on time. I know, I know.. I was confused too. That is why I picked up the phone and expressed my concern to the "customer service" representative.

She then informed me that my flight was indeed on time. I expressed my concern for the hazardous roads that lay ahead during our LONG, SLOW drive (normally 20 min, took ~60) and she said the flight is showing on time.

So, Rusty and I loaded up and headed out (5am). Arriving at the airport (6am) and into a line that didn't move for 20 minutes! I finally got all checked (6:25 am) in and was ready for some food and tea before heading to my gate. Thank goodness Starbucks was open (even though the weather was horrible) and I was able to get something in my belly.

After a snack and bathroom break it was time to face security. Due to the horrific weather, there wasn't even a line. I strip off my shoes and jacket and head on through. I do have to say, the TSA people were quite pleasant for a change. I really enjoy when those people are in good moods, it makes traveling so much more enjoyable!

Off I go for my gate, happy as a clam that my flight is showing on time. Well boy was I a little peeved when I walked up to my gate to see a CANCELLED sign up. Mind you, every screen in the Tulsa airport showed ON TIME. To my surprise, I wasn't the only one left out of the loop, even the flight crew was unaware of the situation. They must have been pretty ticked or either that just very unfriendly people because they were quite rude about the whole thing.

Back down to the ticket counter for me! Funny thing, the monitor read that the flight was boarding!! By the time I got through the NW line with a new travel time the monitor said DEPARTED!!!

Any who... now I wait. I have been booked on a 5 pm flight (hopefully it makes it off the ground or Delta is a little more put together) and am hoping to be in Alaska in the next couple of days!!!

I'll keep you posted

Happy Birthday to my fantastic husband!!

Today is my wonderful, handsome, sweet husband's birthday!! I just wanted to give him a shout out and let him know how much I love him.

God really knew what he was doing when he placed Rusty in my life. He is the greatest husband and such a wonderful, hands-on father.

Wonderful Week

This has been one of the busiest weeks we have had in a LONG time. It has been wonderful though! We had friends over for dinner and Wii Tuesday night, dinner at a friends' house Wednesday night, my birthday dinner at Shogun Thursday night and a whole lot of nothing Friday night (which was a nice change of pace).

Then, last night we went to a really great steak house, Molly's Landing, for Rusty's birthday dinner with some friends. Today was church and lunch with Rusty's family because it is his brother's birthday (happy birthday Wayne!) today and Rusty's tomorrow. I think we will be able to do some more vegging out tonight.

As for the next couple of days, I am absolutely thrilled that I should be heading to Alaska on Tuesday (weather permitting). I get to go for almost 2 weeks!!! Therefore, I have a lot of packing and planning ahead of me. Laundry to I'm sure!! I can't wait to see my family, eat some GREAT food and visit with some old friends.

Sorry for the lack of pictures lately. I have been majorly forgetful lately.

Birthday Fun

After school I had an appointment to get to. But, when I got home I had flowers, balloons, a card and a yummy ice cream cake waiting for me! Plus, on my way to the appointment, Rusty told me that he would pop a pizza in the oven for dinner. I was okay with that because I was STARVING. After being made aware of my rumbling tummy, he said that I would need to snack on something when I got home because we had dinner reservation for 7:30 (it was 3:45).

My flowers, balloons and card

Rusty, lighting the fire-hazard of a cake

I loved that the candles made a 2 and a 7. He is such a great, wonderful husband!

Have a said that before?!

On our way to the Shogun Steakhouse (Japanese style steakhouse) I was informed that the reservations were for 8. It was so fun getting to hang out with my wonderful husband and so many friends. I had a wonderful time and it made for a really good birthday. Thank you sweet husband... I love you!

27

The two cards that I recieved from my students.

I am absolutely amazed that I am now a whole year older. Yes, today is my birthday and I am inching closer to 30. Not that that is a bad thing. It's just that I will be in a whole different decade!

It was really sweet, the kids in my classes (I've been subbing for the same teacher for a few weeks now) sang "happy birthday" to me and a couple of girls made me cards. The one present that I got from one student, she gave me a cookie from the lunch room. First, it was the sweetest gesture; second, it was the best cookie!! I never knew that stuff that came out of the lunch room could taste SO good!

So far it has been a pretty good day, except that I'm coming down with a cold or something, other than that though, it's good.

New Decorations

Yesterday we went and took down Abigayl's Christmas decorations and switched them over to Valentines ones. We went ahead and kept her tree but put pink, red and white decorations all over it. There are tons of hearts, pink and red flowers and Rusty found little plastic tiaras to put on her tree. It looks very nice. Very fitting for the princess she was and the angel she is.

This is Abigayl's tree and flowers. She has a good collection of stuffed animals there too.
And, today I found yard hearts and such. So, I decorated her memorial garden. I'm going to see about tracking down more Valentine ornaments so I can put some on her memorial tree.

Here are some of the yard decorations I found. I also put a wreath up on her hook.

I thought that sign was perfect because every time I think about my girl or see a picture, it warms my heart. I miss her so much. My heart aches daily for her and I can't stop the constant flow of tears I cry for her every day. Yesterday was the first time I actually got angry with God. I prayed long and hard and told him how I felt and the great thing is, he still loves me and he has understanding. For me, I feel better because I was able to express my feelings, guilt free. Don't we have an amazing God?!

Cast your cares on the Lord

and he will sustain you;

he will never let the righteous fall. (Psalm 55:22)

New Computer!!

After much discussion on what we wanted for out birthdays (Rusty's is the 26th and mine is the 22nd) we decided a combined gift would be better. So, we decided on a new computer. Hallelujah!! With the laptop we both would get so frustrated with the absolute slowness. Granted, the laptop is almost 6 years old. But, it was SO slow. (My plan is to buy a wireless chip and a router so I can surf the net from the slow computer, on my comfy couch, while he watches sports!!)

After church and breakfast, we headed out for some computer shopping. Thanks to the Best Buy associate, we found the perfect one at the best price (he comparison shopped for us on the net!) and we didn't even have to run around to a bunch of different stores!

Now, my computer is lightening fast and I can do everything in no time! I am SO happy. I'm sure that when Rusty gets a chance to play with our new toy he will like it too. But, I'm like any typical youngest child.... I don't like to share my toys! So he can play with it while I'm in Alaska for two weeks!

Rice Crispy treats

Last night we had Megan, Geoff and Justin over for dinner and Wii playing. I made bloody mary flank steak, grilled squash and zucchini, mashed potatoes and home-made bread; and for dessert I made creme brulee. Well, after polishing off most of everything I decided we needed some more sugar-packed dessert. So, I decided to make rice crispy treats.

I wouldn't say that I'm a gourmet chef by and means but I can follow a recipe pretty well. Except last night. I pull out all the ingredients (all 3 of them that is) to make our yummy treat. I drop my butter in my heated pan and get it good and melted. Then I dump my whole package of marshmallows in. Once everything is all melted, I mix in the 6 cups of cereal that it calls for.

I notice when I dump the mixture onto my baking sheet it is a little gooeyer than I remeber. Then, when I tried to cut a piece off the knife was sticking really bad, that's when I knew something was wrong.

Well, I check the instructions and it calls for 10 oz of marshmallow. So, I check the bag of marshmallows that I dumped in. Wouldn't you know it, I had a 16 oz bag of marshmallows instead of 10! So, the great guests they were and the sweet husband Rusty is, they all ate some of my sticky mess any way (not that they tasted much different, they just weren't the normal consistency).

It was a great start to the weekend getting to have them over. I always love to have a reason to cook a larger meal. Plus, we had a ball playing Wii until the wee hours of the morning! (12am is pretty late for all of us!!)

Sorry it's been so long!

WOW, it has been a long time since I have blogged. First things first, WE GOT A Wii!!!! After many days of persistence I tracked one down!! It has been great having something Rusty and I can do together (that isn't sitting on the couch watching t.v.)

Part of the reason it has been so long since I have been on is because I have been subbing for a teacher. I just found out that I may be there a bit longer than expected. There were complications with the teacher's surgery and so they may need me until sometime in March. For all of my blogger followers, please keep this sweet teacher in your prayers. I know that she is having physical ailments but I also think it is hard on her emotionally, not being able to come back to her class.

A few weeks ago I had a comment on one of my pictures that was from a mother who has also lost a child to S.I.D.S. She has started up and organization (tinyhandprints.org) that sends out information to grieving parents of S.I.D.S babies.
I received my first mailing this week and the information in that packet was some of the most helpful information I have found since Abigayl's death. There is a whole book on S.I.D.S and there is also a mini-book that has four parts about grieving. So, if anyone wants to donate in Abigayl's name, please check out her website. I think this is one of the best S.I.D.S sites I have found.

Time for some Wii pictures:
Rusty and I are happy to have our Wii!
Rusty, bowling (it's WAY cheaper!!)

My turn... I love it. Now all I need is a Wii fit.

Insight

Sunday school at our church is always wonderful. But, this Sunday was really great because it gave me more insight on the after life of those who have passed. We have been studying 1 Thessalonians and this Sunday we went over chapter 4.

1 Thess. 4:13-18
Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.

I really feel that this brings hope to those who have lost loved ones, that we will be with them forever. I know when I read it, I was a little weary that we wouldn't be united until the coming but after some explanation, I found out that those who pass, their spirit goes to be with Jesus. When the rapture happens those in heaven and those left on Earth will be united and given their resurrected bodies.

It just brings peace to know for sure that my sweet Abigayl is sitting with her heavenly father right now. And one day, she will be reunited with both her daddy and me (and all her siblings that God blesses us with!).

Another passage that brings comfort is 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

From these verses, comfort is felt. That through the hardships that we face God will be there to be our rock. That he is sufficient and all we need to lean on. That he will lift us up and give us the strength and courage we need to get through these hard times. God's power and love is so amazing.

I just want to thank our wonderful Sunday school leaders for their guidance through the Bible. For giving us the words we need to find strength and comfort. We are so blessed to have these wonderful people in our lives.

Dinner and Wii

We had a really nice night last night. We went to dinner with our friends (who also happen to be Rusty's cousins). We went to an Irish pub for dinner. It was our first time there and the food was not bad. Not the greatest, but not bad.

After some runny creme brulee (I think mine is better), we headed over to Megan and Geoff's where I got to play Wii for the first time. I LOVE IT! We had already decided to get one before last night but now I REALLY want one. We bowled and played Wario. What a great time!!

Rusty trying his hand at some Wii bowling.
The troublesome duo!! (just kidding!)

Megan's turn to bowl... She ended up beating us all at bowling

SO much fun.. I love hanging out with these guys.

Things got really exciting when Megan and Laura arm wrestled. After some pointers from Geoff, Megan put up a good fight.

Since we had so much fun last night, today after church we drove around to a couple of different stores trying to find a Wii. Of course, they are all sold out right now. The only store that helpful associates was Game Stop. Hopefully I will be able to find it there so I can support them. I like friendly associates.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

New years eve was a really good day. I went up to Bartlesville to have lunch with friends. We went to the yummiest place, Murphy's. (Best hot hamburgers, fries, gravy and lemon meringue pie) One of the girls has a one month old and a soon-to-be 4 year old. So, after lunch we all went with her to watch her beautiful girls get their first portraits together done. I was lucky enough to get to hold that sweet, beautiful baby! It felt so right getting to hold a baby again. I'm so thankful for opportunities like that.

After the portrait session, I rushed home so Rusty and I could make it to Tulsa in time to visit Abigayl. We got to wish her happy new year and cry a few tears for her.

We then had dinner at Bonefish Grill. If you have one around you, you should go, the food is great. After dinner we headed to my friends house. We had a great time getting to hang out, pig out and play games.

There were three couples so we split into girls against guys for a game of pictionary.

Trying to guess the drawings.
This was an all-play so anyone could guess. Husband against wife.

Another all-play, Rusty's doing his best.

My turn!

After pictionary (the girls blew the guys out of the water) we played a little trivial pursuit. That is a HARD game. I don't know enough trivia. So, we called it guys win (they had 2 triangles against our 1) to bring in 2009.

We counted down and then kissed (our spouses!)

My camera's time must be off. It was a couple minutes after midnight on this one.

I pray that this year is as great and better than last year. Last year was the best and worst year of our life. We experienced absolute, pure joy and absolute devastation. I hope that this year we only experience pure joy. I'm hoping that we will all get to watch my belly grow and a new baby be brought into this world. I look forward to sharing all of my ups and downs with you through this next year.

The BEST Christmas present

The best Christmas present I received this year came from my brother and sister-in-law. My sister-in-law is an avid scrapper. She does some really great stuff. I have to say the best thing she's done so far is this book. (I am a little bias!)

Here is the front cover.

One of my favorite pages, the mommy page.
When Rusty and I wrote her obituary, we each wrote her a letter. So, on my page she included my letter to Abigayl and on Rusty's page she included his.

Probably one of Rusty's favorite pages, the daddy page

And this sweet picture ends the book beautifully.

The great thing about this book is that she included the obituary we wrote, my mom's eulogy, poems I read at the service, great Bible verses and sweet quotes.

It is really nice to have a great book with lots of my favorite pictures to pick up and read every day. Most days when I pick it up, I can't look through it with out the water works. It's just shocking that she was really real. She is so perfect and so sweet and I feel like having her was a dream. Being able to look through this book helps me know she was real.

Bread.... from scratch!!

Those of you who know me well know how much I love to cook and bake. There are a few things that I have never been able to master. 1. bread 2. cinnamon rolls I think the thing that both of them have in common is a need to rise.

Well, thanks to my friend Jill, I achieved at making bread from scratch. You see, one night she and her family had us over for dinner. There I am eating a WONDERFUL sandwich. I asked where she bought the bread and she told me she made it. My jaw hit the floor. It was REALLY good bread.

So, the other day she had me over and gave me the recipe. Not only did she give me the recipe, but she told me all of her tricks to getting it to rise. Two days later, this was my master piece. I am SO proud of myself.

THANK YOU JILL!!!