It's my birthday!

Well folks, it's official, my birthday is here! Now, I can fully submerge myself into the Christmas season. I don't know why but, it's not until my birthday is here that I really get excited about Christmas. Well, so far my day has been...well...quiet. I am very grateful for the quiet. I have had some time to really think about my 28 years on earth! Other than that, it feels just like any other day! It's amazing how the older you get, the less excited you become. That is very hard for me to admit, because I absolutely LOVE birthdays. I get so excited about them, that I can hardly stand it...but not this year. Maybe it's because I typically spend my birthday with my family and this would make the second year that I haven't been able to spend my actual birthday with them. Who knows! At any rate, it is my birthday, and I am so very thankful to the Lord that he allowed me to have 28 wonderful years of life, love and friendship. I am not for sure what Karnell has instore for this particular occasion, but I can almost guarantee that all of those three things will be there; and that's something to get excited for! Stay tuned to see how the festivities went down! TTFN- Ta Ta For Now!

Springfield...

So Karnell and I have been in Springfield for 6 months. Can you believe it? And since I've been here, I have had quite a few disappointments and hardships. Now, as many of you know, this isn't my first time living here in Springfield. I went to college here. And for me, that's is where it should have stayed. To make a long story short, after college, I went back home (KC) because I had no job, and no place to live here in Springfield. I graduated December 14. On December 15, my life has never been the same. I have always been one to have everything in life planned out, or if not planned out, at least a template of what I should be doing. I feel as though I am roaming the earth, and losing my outlook on life. I am settling for mediocrity, which isn't one of my character traits. So what's my problem? Well, to answer my own question, I am suppose to do something great in my life, and I am side tracked. God has totally pulled me out of my comfort zone for a purpose. He has allowed certain friends leave, certain deaths in my family, and other circumstances to arise to show me something. Since I've moved here, I've been miserable. My question to God was, why would You allow me to move somewhere that I hate? His answer, so that you can do what you love! I love children. Every ember of my being is attached to a child. I have so many ideas in my head for children, that it keeps me up at night sometimes! So, with all that said, I say, "Yes, Lord". I will no longer kick, against what I CAN see, but instead run towards what I CAN'T see. It took me 6 months of heartache and pain to really understand and accept what the Lord is doing! So sad. I am almost ashamed to have mentioned it. I could have been much further along. But, I believe that everything happens for a reason...I just haven't discovered it yet!

Full Speed Ahead!

This week, believe it or not is going to be very hectic. The main reason is because I have a final that's due this week. It's a DVD of five different hospital scenarios and I will have to watch the DVD and put myself in the Child Life Specialist shoes, and write what I would do. I will be glad when I'm done, this is the last "cloud" that's hanging over me before the year is over! I have some last minute shopping that I need to do, so we will see how that goes! My birthday is getting closer...I love birthdays! Well, yesterday someone inquired about Jett. I'm not for sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing. I want a calmer, inside dog, so I guess this is a good thing. I can't have two dogs, so Jett has to go before I can get another dog. Well that's enough random thoughts for now, I hope everyone has a great week!

Make him leave, or keep him...

Jett outside!

Yeah, he looks real cute when he's sleep!

Jett and Karnell

Jett when he was a little younger!

So if any of you know me at all, you will know that I have a small zoo at my house! Two birds- George and Macchiato, and a dog- Jett. Well, Jett has been getting into trouble for a while now. When I say trouble...let me explain. While Karnell and I were in Denver, CO Jett decided to break through his crate and "anoint" every room in our house (our newly remodeled house). Not only that, he ate our blinds, shredded our curtains, ate up our base boards, and chewed up our carpet. He did all of this in one day! Our friends that were dog sitting are true friends, because they had cleaned up the mess before we got home. So now you are probably thinking why didn't we get rid of him...because he's so stinkin' cute! Karnell, and his "man" authority decided that Jett was no longer an "inside" dog, he had to stay outside. Well, that was a bad decision because Jett decided that he was going to eat through our phone wire...6 times! Karnell, is now saying get rid of him...so I put him on craigslist. We started doing some research to find another dog...I found one, a beagle! Now, Karnell is saying don't get another dog; Jett just needs to go to doggy school... So, now what do I do? School and patience or adoption and new dog? He is a good dog when we are around, it's when he's left unattended that he decides to create havoc! Well, if you are reading my post, let me know what you think...in the mean time, here are some pictures of Jett the Terrorizer! By the way, the birds were never touched!

Almost the end...

Can you believe it, it's almost the end of the year! I know I can't. Around this time of year I always have a bitter sweet feeling about what all I've done throughout the year! One of the things that I am really proud of is the fact that for the first time this year, I bought a house! A house that I absolutely love, and would hate to sell! That's the sweet part, the bitter part is the fact that I've gained so much weight it's ridiculous! I know that once I put my mind to something I do exceedingly well at it, so why can't I master dieting...because it is truly my one and only major weakness. I really need to buckle down and lose this weight...

On a much brighter note, I am soon going to be one year older! I am definitely beginning to feel it...those 30's are knocking at my door a little louder each year! My birthday is Dec. 20, so I really feel the holidays once Dec. gets here! I love Christmas! I am planning to go home for Christmas (Karnell gets to come along!) and I can't wait! I only want one thing for Christmas...a digital camera! I love taking pictures, and I swear, I'm the only one on the face of the earth that doesn't have one. Having a camera on your phone doesn't count! I have two nice 35mm camera's, but I don't really use them anymore, because I hate going to get the pictures developed, I even hate waiting for one hour photo. Along with that, I don't like paying for horrible pictures, and not seeing what they will be like. I really want a digital camera...bad! I don't care whether it comes for Christmas or my birthday...I just want one! I pray Santa grants my wish...

Thanksgiving Break

Man, I have been running about a mile a minute for the past few weeks! When will the madness ever end... I haven't even had time to do one thing I love to do...blog! I don't even know where to begin telling you about what all has been going on, hmmm, let me see. Well, I guess I can start off by saying that class is kickin my butt! Even though it's the end of the semester, I am working harder now, than I have all semester, can you believe that?! Now, I am sweating bullets because my final is work 400 points...talk about pressure...yikes! Besides my class I work a full time job, volunteer at the hospital for class, while trying to read to kids once a week. Ok, there are no children to read to quite yet, but I'm working on it! Great news! Karnell and I went shopping! We got a bed, dresser, end tables, a computer and so much more! We are so ridiculously pumped, we can't stand it! Ok the truth is, we did get this stuff, but only because my boss is moving to Chile and had to sell or get rid of some things, so a lot of it we didn't even pay for! (Praise the Lord!)

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I hope you all did too! I went to Kansas City. Karnell didn't get a chance to go, but will definitely make it for Christmas (and my birthday...getting old...yikes!) I ate beyond measure, and now I'm feeling guilty. I'm feeling so guilty that I joined a fitness center. We will see how that goes... Karnell and I started decorating the house for Christmas...it looks beautiful! We put up both trees, and lights, and other decorations...I love Christmas. It puts me in my happy place. Well, that's all for now, I will try to post pics of Thanksgiving and our festive house. I swear I am the only American out there that doesn't own a digital camera...I really want one, the only digital camera I own is on my phone...so scanner, here I come...

Auggghhh, MONEY!!!

It's amazing how much our lives depend on money. It really makes the world go round. I have been thinking about being a child life specialist (the financial part anyway) and I am very curious as to where this will take us financially. I don't want to sound prideful, but I do want a career where I can make pretty good money. I understand that I won't be rich, because we all know that dealing with children is not a money maker. I do, on the other hand want to be well off. I know you are probably thinking...what about Karnell? I want him to be successful as well, but this is a personal goal of mine. I was just thinking, my 10 year high school reunion will be in May of 2008! What have I accomplished in 10 years? It's a very good self reflection question. Not only that, but between now and May, what can I do, to push myself a little closer to my dreams? For that matter, what are my dreams? For all of you reading my blog, what are your thoughts?