oy vey!

It's true, I have been away for awhile. And yes, a lot has been happening in my life.

In August I finally moved into my new place....

Hold it...let me back up to the end of June. I started my job at HSLDA with lights and action, (see previous post about my first day on the job.) I also hit the ground running. Besides getting back into a somewhat familiar job,I was gone 5 weekends in 1.5 months. I traveled for work to: Kentucky, Baltimore, California, and Ohio, and I managed a quick trip home for another wedding reception for Jeremy and Jessica. In August, I began to catch my breath, but that was short lived as the calls here at work began to come in at an average of 60 to 70 per day. Some days I topped off at 80. Besides the calls, I was also busy with many other aspects of my job.

For the month of July I was house-hunting, and in August, I moved into my beautiful place with my 3 awesome roommmates.

Katie's a legal assistant here at HSLDA. She keeps busy with her job, law-school and baking amazing fresh bread. She hails from Minnestota. Both of us love to cook, and just last night we both cooked and chatted the night away.

Abigail also works here at HSLDA in my department. She sent shockwaves through our home when an eager young lad began the quest for her heart, not 2 weeks after she came back to the area. (She had gone home for a long visit.) We knew it was serious the night he came over and thew stones at her window to get her attention!

Alyssa is a school teacher east of Purcellville. She hails from Indiana--another good midwestern girl. She delights in telling us stories of life as a teacher, and we have a blast hearing them.

I have also been keeping busy with church activities, Bible studies, Hebrew classes, and all of the things in life that constantly provide us with a reason the sigh and say, "I'm so busy".

I am enjoying my work here. I've made awesome new friends, and gotten back in touch with friends I "left" when I moved to Fairfax. I do still go and watch "my" kids. They have all grown and changed so much, even in these few short months.

September finds my job slowing from the crazy pace of August. It's also bringing cooler days--fall is here!

So, there you have it. I do hope to update this more often, now that I am stettled, but I make you no promises.


So, my adoring public, ie, Jeanette--there's a quick update!

hey all...

I hope that this finds each of you well. I have now switched jobs, and I hit the ground running! Between work conferences, going home, and a quick weekend away between jobs I've been gone for 5 weekends. I'm so excited to have this Saturday off that I can't decide what to do with myself. I have about 5 options, and I can only choose one;)

I'm really enjoying my work here at HSLDA. It does keep me hopping, but that's not always bad.

I know that this was a quick update. I at least wanted you to know that I'm still alive and kicking.

I'll be around;)

I spy a famous person

Yes, it's true, I think I saw a famous person at the airport on Sunday.

As I was boarding my flight from Columbus to D.C. I saw a girl and her mother and the girl looked very familiar. I kept thinking I'd seen her before. When we were walking onto the plane her mother called her Emily. That's when it hit me...Emily Hughes-- little sister to Sarah, the Olympic gold medalist. For those of you who don't follow figure skating, Emily also went to the Olympics.

I still wasn't sure that it was her, but her mom looked familiar to me, too. I kinda watched them out of the corner of my eye, and managed to promptly lose track of them at the baggage claim.
As I was standing with my older sister outside of the airport, I saw them again. This time the mom had a sign that said "Hughes" and Emily was sporting a Nike gym bag. A car pulled up and whisked them off somewhere.
So, she looked like Emily Hughes and that was her name, so I think I'm safe to say it was her.

Just had to share! Have a great day.

a first for everything...

Yes, it's true, there is a first for everything, but I didn't think my first speeding ticket would be in town, on my first day at a new job, as I worked on my mental check-list. Alas, so it was. The very unfamiliar blue lights in my rearview mirror brought me back to reality in a hurry;) Thank the Lord that he was a nice officer. I've always had this fear, that if ever I was pulled over, I'd get some grumpy officer. He was so kind, but, wahhh, he didn't let me off. Oh well...it will teach me not to try to figure out my life and its chaos while driving through town. It was funny--when he came to my window, he leaned over and said.."do you have your license?" The way he said sure sounded like he thought I wouldn't have one. I can't still look 15, can I?
His words of wisdom for me as he walked away were..."Do me a favor, and pay more attention, k?" Check:)

This morning, on my way to day 2 at HSLDA, I was comforted to observe not one, not two, but three cars pulled over for speeding on about a five-mile strech of interstate. See, I'm not the only one.

Anyhow, life goes on. I'm finished with my nanny job. It's really hard to believe. The time went by slowly at times, and then at the end seemed to fly by.
HSLDA is busy as usual. It's amazing how much of the job I remember. It does make the transition easier.

I have to keep this short for now. But I wanted to stop by and at least say, "hi"

Pictures of me and "my" kids:)

See what I mean? They look a lot like me;)

do you hear me complaining?

Yes, so you know how it is when you make an "agreement with God" about something, and then He tests you right away just to be sure you meant it? That was me today:) I have recently been listening to some teaching by Nancy Leigh DeMoss about complaining. I have been so convicted that I told God that I would strive to not complain, 'cause I was becoming really good at it. I told God that I would say 5 positive things about whatever/whoever I was complaining about when negative words tumbled out of my mouth, as they often, naturally do. So, today I was once again asked to help with spring cleaning. Today's task was scubbing marks off of the walls. Natually, in my sinful, human state, I began to grumble inwardly about this task, hehe. All of the sudden, out of nowhere, a voice sweetly reminded me of my promise to work on my complaining. Wahhh, so I had to think of five positive things. So, here's kinda how my thought proccess, ie. conversation with God went:

1. I'm thankful that I have arms to do this task, (but God, my arms are so tired,) sigh.....sorry...I am thankful.

2. I'm thankful for cleaning supplies that make this task easier.

3. I'm thankful for a mom that taught me that value of elbow grease.

4. ummmmm....can't think of anything. Okay, yeah, I did say 5......ummmm I'm thankful for hair bands to pull my hair out of my face.

5. ummmm.......................................water, yes water...thanks for water, ie. indoor plumbing

I really do have to laugh at myself sometimes 'cause I can be such a baby;) But, I really do think that even God gets a kick out of me sometimes.

The kids finished up their swim lessons today. It was fun to take them, but once again I had to set everyone straight about the fact that I was the nanny, not the mom. The kid's teacher laughed in my face when I told him, but then realized that I wasn't kidding. I'm going to put some pictures of them on here soon, so you can see just how much we all look alike.

I learned this weekend that I'm a terrible frisbee player, but I really didn't think that I was that great before, hehe. I missed not one, but TWO scores. My team managed to win without me, so good job y'all. Someday I'll master ultimate.

That's all for now folks. Have a great week, and be careful what you ask God to convict you of; He does hear you, *wink*

Happy Easter!

I hope your day was fantastic. I had a great Easter. My sister and I had a friend over and we ate and chatted all afternoon. She is a nanny, so we had a blast sharing our experiences:)

Jesus, and all He did and does for me every second of every day, continues to amaze me. I am such a flawed piece of human flesh, but through Him, I am being tranformed more and more into His image. I don't deserve the sacrifice, but I am so grateful for it.

Below is a pic of Jeremy and Jessica's first dance, so please enjoy. The newlyweds are doing very well. They loved their time in Hawaii, and seem to be settling into married life very well.

later.