It's been a while....

I apologize for not keeping you guys up-to-date. I have been super busy. I usually don't leave work until 5:30 or 6. Then it's come home cook and get ready to start the day over. I'm not complaining though, I love my job!!! I could stay until 9 everynight making everything just right. I know that Michael would not like that though.

Just a quick update....

1. I love my job!! (Did I say that already?)

2. My puppy is growing fast!! He weighs 25 lbs now. I love him so much.

3. My nephew turned 5 a few weeks ago. He is soooo precious. He told his Uncle Michael that if he got him anything to do with the yellow jackets that he would throw it away!! He knows who to cheer for.

4. Recently I did pictures for a rehearsal dinner and a wedding. The Rehearsal dinner was for my really good friend Bliss (some of you read her blog). I had so much fun and was honored that I was asked to be the "evening" photographer. The wedding was for another friend, Carol. I worked with Carol at the nursing home. You guys may remember the engagement photos I took of her about a year ago. She was a beautiful bride and so easy to photograph.

The Rehearsal and Rehearsal Dinner (just a few)

The Wedding~ Carol and Corey

Corey sang to Carol as she walked down the aisle. It was unbelievable. I had chills. Oh and not only did he sing. He played the keyboard!!!!

5. Michael and I are doing some home improvements next week. We decided not to venture anywhere for Fall break. We really need to take the money and finish somethings around the house. We plan to repaint the living room, fix a door, work in the yard, clean (fall cleaning), decorate for fall, move some things to storage, take some things to thrift stores, organize closets, and then enjoy a day or two. We need a date so we decided that we would do that a few nights.

6. Our airconditioner broke a few weeks ago. We had to completely install a brand new unit and furnace. It was expensive but hey good selling point when we get ready to say goodbye to this house.

7. My mom is keeping the weight off. She continues to walk everyday and watch her diet.

I hope I have not bored you guys by rambling on and on. I hope you enjoyed the photos too!!

I'm still here....

Wow!!! It's been a long time. I have been reading blogs but just not blogging myself. Briefly I will catch you guys up.

Freckles: He is slowly growning out of his puppy stages. He isn't chewing as much. He is house broken (which only took 2 weeks), he gets so excited when I come home everyday, he loves his belly rubbed, he still loves Cricket (Michael's dog), and he is just the sweetest puppy EVER.

Michael: Still doing great at his new job (well it's almost a year old now).

Me: I GRADUATED!!! July 25!!! To top it all off I got a teaching job!! I am going to be teaching second grade. I've met most of my students and they seem to be very good. School starts back Monday, I'm nervous and excited. I work with a great group of teachers so I know I will be fine.

My mom: SHe is still losing weight. She has lost a total of 35 lbs!!! She wants to lose ten more. I know that she can do it!!!

I will try to post sooner between but its tough right now. I am a busy first year teacher. Thank you all for praying for this job for me!!!!

FRECKLES

Some of you know how long I have been BEGGING for a dog. I have had people offer to go get me a dog and leave it on the porch. Everyone knows that I love dogs. I have been asking Michael for one for about 3 years. Finally about two months ago he gave in and said yes. I did not know if he was really serious so I played it off for a while. Yesterday I mentioned it again and he gave me a hard time but then took me to Anderson to see if I could find one. There was noone at PetSmart (I wanted a rescue dog). So.... today my mom and I went and I came home with one!!! I wanted a female but ended up with a male. He is about 4 mths old and almost completely house broken. He was living with a foster family. They believe he is part dashound (which means him and cricket should be fine) and part cocker spaniel (which makes him a little bit bigger). He is soooo sweet.

Kitchen is done!!!!!!!!

Remember THIS?
The old frig

The red wall in the dining room

notice the new bowl for the lemons.... I found it at Hobby Lobby for $13!!!!

So then we had to finish the back splash!!!! We painted it the tan color of the kitchen

and faux painted a darker glaze on top it....

Michael painted while I did the texturing. We used paper bags.

And the final product.... Notice the new counter tops. They are back with brown specks.



Look at this towel... It matches it all!!

And the final product!! The outlet covers even match the backsplash. We got lucky with those. Notice the new stove (the one that took forever to get) and the microwave. The frig matches (sorry I just realized I did not take a picture of it).

And the table...

Birthdays are suppose to be FUN

using this image to try to calm down!!

Good morning!! I took the day off work to enjoy myself; it's my 28th birthday!! Over the last 4 months I have worked twelve hour days. I taught from 7:30 to nearly 4 and then went to the nursing home until 7 or a little after every night. This went on Monday through Friday for 16 straight weeks. Last week I started back at the nursing home FULL TIME. I've been overwhelmed, stressed out, and thin on patience. I know that job just isn't for me anymore. I love the residents but the stress and depressing atmosphere will take a toll. So, I decided that I really needed a much needed day of rest and pampering!!

I decided to take a personal day today. My plan was to sleep in until around 9, take a shower, visit my friend Julie, eat lunch with mom, then get a pedicure. WEll, the phone rang at 7:45. My mom accidentally left the back gate opened and her jack russells escaped. One of them, Molly, is a sweet girl, and returned when she was called. Dolly, is hard-headed, she took off. So, Mom wanted me to come help her find her because she had to go to work. Talk about one ill Birthday GIRL!! So i threw on some shorts, and ladies thank goodness a bra, brushed my teeth and out the door I went.

Mom was gone by the time I got there. I yelled and yelled for Dolly. Nothing.... So I thought I would try to drive to find her. Well, I went to get in my car and it would not crank. My car is only 5 years old. UGH. I figured it was the battery (it left me stranded about 6 mths ago). So, I called my mom and told her Dolly would just have to come on her own cause I couldn't drive to find her. I walked to the top of the drive-way and there she was. She came running. So i rescued her and then........ called Michael to rescue me.

He came jumped the car off and had me follow him to the parts store (or so we thought). We got about two miles from my parents and he called my cell, "Amy, just follow me to the maintenance shop." I knew something else was wrong. Apparently at this time the "check engine" light was on! We we got about a mile down the road and the car went dead. Thankfully we were in front of a dr.'s office and Michael had just enough speed to get the car in the parking lot and into the first spot. He said the car went dead, all the check lights came on, and it started clicking. We just new it was the alternator. The window would not go up!!! So we drove a block over to the nearest maintenance shop. The guy came, they jumped it off, and we quickly drove to the nearest parts store (not one we usually choose to use). Eighty dollars later it was a dead cell in the battery!!! I'm so thankful it wasn't the alternator.. that would have been a terrible b-day present... or maybe not. I was thinking about what car I was going to trade my car for! LOL!





So, now I'm going to shower and try to enjoy my day. Hopefully everything but the sleeping in will still happen. Maybe a nap is in my future for the afternoon!!

kitchen

We have started our kitchen make over. It's not finished but here is a sneak peak....


Hallway before.... pale yellow

Looking inot the kitchen....looks so bright..ignore the mess

Little table beside back door.

And on goes the red......

Little table by the back door. If you look in the mirror you see me and the color of the hallway and other kitchen walls. It's tan.

Happy Easter!!

Today was a very enjoyable day. It started with an awesome service at church, "Is Jesus calling your name?" Michael and I then went to my parents house and enjoyed ham, chicken and dressing, broccoli casserole, green beans, and rolls. For desert we had hummingbird cake and brownie bites. We then took a nap!!!

Then it was time to be productive!!!

We came home, Michael finished spreading the mulch and I cleaned the house. I then decided to play with my camera. So enjoy!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Just felt like posting. I don't have any updates or anything to post but I thought this picture would bring a peaceful thought to some of you.

update

I know it has been a while since I posted. I've been really busy and a little stressed. The economy and lack of funding in the education world has really got me STRESSED OUT!!! I want a teaching job soooo bad. I am frustrated because over the past few weeks I have seen teachers who don't want to teach anymore, who aren't teaching to the state standards, and have a huge lack of motivation. Yet, they still hold a spot as an Elementary school teacher. ugh!!!

Ok enough about my venting!!

Kelly at Kelly's Corner listed all the things she praises God for. I thought I would take her challenge and do the same.

Praise: I praise him for a warm house, food on the table, a part-time job, a car to drive.

Praise: I praise him for the most amazing husband. I am so glad he lead me to Michael.

Praise: I praise him for the best student teaching experience I could have ever asked for.

Praise: I praise him for some of the best friends in the whole world who I know would be by my side no matter what.

Praise: I praise him for my parents who are absolutely amazing. Their strong marriage and love amazes me everyday.

Praise: I praise him for a wonderful brother who has blessed our family with his two beautiful sons and a beautiful wife.

Praise: I praise him for my church family. We have grown to know so many new people in his house.

Praise: I praise him for the dips in the road that I have to cross. Thank you for making me a stronger person and making me realize that I am very blessed in so many ways.