Game Day

VS.

Saturday. August 30th. 12:30.

Every 4 years, 2 little GA teams face off in a friendly game of football.

In 2004 I was a sophomore in college, and our little group hopped into the Tahoe and headed to Athens to support our Eagles in that year's game.

We left the Boro with our flags flying high and big smiles on our faces.

But don't let the smiles fool you. We were out for blood. Red blood. Oh wait, all blood is red. Red and BLACK blood.


Don't get me wrong. Our family cheers for UGA just like good Georgians should. We love them, really. And I seriously heart Mark Richt. If they could clone him and make him about 20 years younger and single, I'd really consider marrying him.

No, we don't have a problem with UGA. I mean heck, I went to the darn school for two LONG years. Got a degree and everything. I have loyalties. And don't get me started on my love for Athens. If you could clone the city of Athens and make it into a person, I'd really consider marrying it.

That was weird.

Anyway, all of this to say that when UGA is playing MY beloved/hometown/alma mater team, it's a whole other ballgame. Literally. And figuratively. And metaphorically. And somewhat spiritually. Amen.

Indeed, when our Eagles take the field at Sanford Stadium this Saturday, we will be there. And at that point all we can do is join in with those Tech people as we yell, "To Hell with Georgia!"

ONE MORE TIME, EAGLES!!

Tales from the Tub

Bath time got you down?

Brannen: This blows.

Will: I haven't been this bored since nap time.

Totally unimpressed by your babysitter's feeble attempts to entertain you?Brannen: Surely she did not just bust out the MC Hammer right here in front of God and everyone. (Eye roll)

Will: Just smile and nod, Brannen. Smile and nod.

Wishing you could just jump off the edge and end it all?Brannen: I can't look. He has so much to live for. Like gummies and chocolate milk.

Will: I think I see a bug. I hope to one day flee this tub and squish it with my bare hands.

Interested in knowing what special surprise Jenn Jenn has in her back pocket for bored moments such as these?

Brannen: Please let it be candy, please let it be candy.
Will: C'mon and give us the goods, my sista. Don't make me wipe this bug on yo' face.

Introducing the new, tried and true method that will bring the fun back to bath time for approximately 5 whole minutes!

Brannen: Our babysitter is a freak.

Will: And we like it that way.

For my parents

40 odd years ago, a couple of crazy, small town teenagers caught each other's eye from a distance and both instantly liked what they saw.

They started dating at the ripe old ages of 14 and 15 and spent their high school days as a googly-eyed couple soaking up all the joys of being young and in love. They grew up together during those years and made tons of memories - she cheered for him at football games, he drove her around in his mama's white Chevy Impala, and they attended all school functions hand-in-hand (with corsages and over sized bow ties perfectly in place).


Once this pair graduated high school and started college in their hometown, there was no stopping them. Pretty soon they realized that they wanted to be together forever.

The spent their college years working, going to class, and spending time at their fraternity and sorority houses. She was the sweetheart for his, he was a little brother for hers. They made lifelong friends and when they weren't busy gazing into one another's eyes - they lived life to the fullest.


By the end of college, the two were engaged to be married. And before they knew it, the time had come for a wedding. The night before the big day, they rehearsed and dined with their closest family and friends, who could see the exictement written all over their faces.

They smiled with smiles that went all the way up to their eyes.


The next morning (which happens to be 30 years ago today), they met at the church they both grew up in and pledged their lives together before the God they both loved. They promised to love one another, in good times and in bad, and when the preacher prounounced them husband and wife, they kissed twice in a quick succession.

A practice they still take part in today.


This pair of newlyweds savored their new lives as a young married couple, but after 2 short years, they recieved the exciting news - they would soon become a family of 3. Nine months later, on a hot Georgia night in July, the couple welcomed a perfect baby boy.


It was in those moments they realized that this was what they were meant for. They knew they had just embarked on what would be the greatest journey of their lives - and it had only just begun.

They loved every second with their happy baby boy. He was just a little bundle of joy and sweetness. His favorite past times were playing with any type of ball, swimming, and eating. He also had adorable and he knew how to use it.


When their little man got to be about 3 years old, they couple recieved some unexpected but extremely welcomed news: they were going to be adding another babe to their bunch! All the doctors predicted that soon their handsome little boy would be getting a brother - so they spent the next 9 months (and 20 extra days) assuming the doctor's guesses were true. Cries of complete shock and sheer joy rang out on a cool night in March when the doctor yelled out...

"She's a keeper!"

They had their baby girl.

The little girl instantly became the apple of her daddy's eye and a permanent appendage to her mama's side. She was their "Sweet Babe" and she loved to laugh and adored her Bubbum.


As one can see, she was quite the withdrawn and quiet child, and many wondered why she was Chinese.


The years passed by and the couple enjoyed watching their children grow up. They never missed a dance recital, football game, or school program. They cheered the loudest, hugged the hardest, and their love for each other and their children could stand up against anyone.

Throughout all the years of high school, college, and into adulthood their children never doubted their love for one moment and grew up having great love and respect their parents, and wanting to make them proud. They knew the gift they had been given in parents such as these, and they did not want to take it for granted.

They also just enjoyed their parents for the crazy people they are. It was always their desire to spend as much time as they possibly could laughing and eating and talking and cooking and laughing with them.

A desire that they still possess today.

In fact, even now, their son has a deep love for his mama, and their daughter is the poster child for a daddy's girl.


And the girl and her mama? Well, they are best friends. And the boy and his daddy? They are carbon copies of one another, and each other's closest confidant.


Yes, 30 years ago today, two people started on a journey that evolved into this...



And while they have so much to show for these past 30 years of marriage and 28 years of parenthood, their journey has not been without storms. Their marriage is not perfect and their children are certainly not perfect, but they stayed committed to their family and getting through the tough times - whatever it took. They grew up together, had babies, raised them to be competent, responsible, and loving adults, and they found a way to laugh through it all.

After 30 years they are still laughing, still wanting to eat supper together, still arguing about ridiculous things, and still discussing their crazy children. Especially the one with no job that lives with them.

She still laughs at the jokes he's told for years.

He still says I love you at the end of each call and each time they part.

And they still gaze into each other eyes with a love that will last way past 30 years.


Happy 30th Anniversary to the greatest people I know.

I love you,

Jenna Babe :-)

Just some things

1. I graduated from the School of Middle last Thursday! Proud moments, proud moments.


P.S. This picture is from my graduation when I got my Master's. Irony is alive and well in my life right now.

Middle school was very un-entertaining last week as C started really doing pretty much everything on her own. She was working those broken arms like no one's business, but she still wanted me around for help when she needed it.

And while she would deny in a court of law that she thought I was cool, secretly we became buds. That made it a lot less awkward, which was good because if I am going to get paid to basically do nothing for someone, I at least want to have a good relationship with the person.

This is the moral standard I live by.

I don't know what job(s) I am going to end up getting in this life, but I have a feeling that as far as the randomness (and ultimately easiness) scale, this one will rank supreme for the duration of time. And for reasons I cannot explain, I have to say I actually had a good time doing it.

2. So with Thursday of last week being my last day, I was excited to enjoy a Friday of not having anything to do.

By mid-morning I was definitely living it up during my first day as a middle school graduate - I was snuggled up in the recliner, watching my friends Julia and Richard in Pretty Woman, and intermittently gazing at the beautiful rain pouring down outside my window.

It was what one might call a perfect moment. Until Daddy called and asked if I was in the basement.

Say again, old man?

It turns out there was a tornado warning in our town. I am not usually that frightened by weather, but I swear in that very moment, I heard the sound of a train in the distance. Small moment of panic.

Upon closer examination, it turns out it really was just a train and not a twister even though I have never heard a train from the comfort of my own home before. What are the chances?

Anyways, I really was not all that alarmed and my level of scaredness (I don't think this is a word, but what do I know - I only have a 6th grade education) on a scale of 1-10 was about a 2. Big Al's was probably about a -8. He did suggest I re-evaluate my location next to the windows, though.

Safety First, that's our motto.

Since we don't really have a basement, I soon found myself sitting on the hard floor of our downstairs half-bath, looking at the weather channel online, and trying to make out the very faint voices of Jules and Richie G from a couple rooms away.

Oh what I wouldn't have given in that moment to be back in the world of reading, writing, and arithmetic.

3. Friday night was very fun as my mama, grandmother, and I went to see my dad in another play.

Over the past 15 years, he has done all sorts of productions - Shakespeare (good, but not my scene), comedies (oh yeah, getting closer), and inspirational stories (ding ding ding!).

I was so excited to go see this particular play because 1) it was an inspirational true story (aka the stuff my dreams are made of), 2.) it was about the life of Erk Russell, the legendary GSU football coach who brought football to Georgia Southern - and ultimately made my hometown what it is today, and 3.) I have proud daughter syndrome.

Which is proven by the fact that I squealed in public when I saw this picture of my dear father on the front page of the newspaper Friday.


And while I am most certainly biased, I am here to say that he stole the show.

4. The rest of the weekend was pretty low key. Saturday night I went with my friend Marsha and some kids to Savannah to see a movie and eat. The children in attendance included none other than no-armed C, my other classmate (and Marsha's son whom I adore) Jake, and C's sisters and friend.


We saw the 3-D movie "Journey to the Center of the Earth" and much to my surprise, I honestly enjoyed it. Weird. 3-D sci-fi movies are not usually my thing. That just shows what some popcorn and whoppers can do to your psyche. You get all happy and forget who you are and what your interests are.

5. As for Sunday, I hung out with my boyfriend.


6. This week I am back to my normal schedule of trying to figure out my life. I am excited because something special is happening on Tuesday, and we also have some big plans for the weekend.

Happy Monday! :-)

Another day, another dollar

The Bullet and I are continuing to roll along. Yesterday and today have proven to be a turning point in our relationship, and I am glad. It's not that C has been ugly up to this point, by any means. And while she has not been overly excited or friendly, I think she is just a little more on the shy side in general - and this has basically sent her over the edge.

I know C is thankful for the help, and I also know that she has just been reacting like any girl with no arms starting her first week of middle school with some random adult-type person as her shadow would act.

In fact, statistics show that 1 in every 1 no-armed 11 year-old is not a fan of an adult-type shadow person. So there you go - you can't fight those odds.

But like I said, I am sensing a bit of a turn in our relationship as she is getting more used to me and we have been able to hang out a little more. I don't think the cookies I brought her yesterday hurt anything either. :-)

I am no fool. I know how to use chocolate to my advantage. I also know how to eat it in strikingly large quantities, but that is a different post for a different day.

So anyways, life around here is as crazy as always and more random than ever before. I seriously just chuckle to myself all day at my new "job." Is it wrong that I actually enjoy it for the most part? I must ponder this more in depth later.

Thankfully I am still getting plenty of action at my old "job" too. This of course thrills me for all kinds of reasons. The least of which is the fact that I have a HUGE crush on both of my bosses.


I was so glad to see these two hoodlums last night. They make my soul all happy.

And while I did just admit that, for the most part, I do not mind returning to Middle School and being the personal assistant to a 6th grader, it does not cause my soul to get quite as excited. (As my facial expression clearly shows here in this picture of me this morning at school.)


The word you are searching for as you realize I took this picture with my phone and then took a picture of it with my camera is sad. And possibly scary.

Personally, I go back and forth between the two.

And while I may be somewhat of a loser most of the time, I can rest well knowing that I know at least one winner in this world...


Will is my pick for 1st place in the cutest child contest! Yay Will Will! Not to mention the fact that he is one of my favorite people to hang out with after another long and exciting day in the world of middle school education. :-)

If this feels long it's because IT WAS A LONG DAY at the school house

I would like to know give you a run down of my day as a reformed middle schooler.

7:30 - Left my house.

7:32 - Pulled into The Country Store to grab a granola bar and a very large Diet Coke. Began downing drink immediately as the school is very close by - this leaves minimal amounts of time to get the caffeine in.

7: 38 - Stopped by Subway to pick up some lunch for later. After a bad lunch experience the first day, I came to my senses. And FYI school food has not changed. Unless yours was awesome in which case it is now disgusting.

7:58 - Walked into school. I spotted C over at her locker, and subsequently witnessed it's contents spilling out all over the floor. C was unable to catch a thing because she is without two very useful appendages.

7:59 - Made mental note to leave the house a little bit earlier so I can be there for any locker mishaps.

7:50 - Finished helping C get her books. Tried to strike up a conversation. Hey girl! How's it going this morning? You look so cute! Oh, man, you're locker organizer collapsed? Could one more thing go wrong, ha ha ha!

7:50 - Realized C had already walked off and came to terms with the fact that I am just not as popular the second time around.

8:05 - Science.

8:10 - Realized science is still my least fave subject. And shall be forevermore.

8:25 - Teacher began discussing the time she mixed chemicals together in a beaker and how it exploded. She continued with sharing that she had to go to the hospital for severe burns and deep, bloody cuts.

8:26 - I began to realize that the only way I could embarrass C more would be to pass out in the middle of class. Spent the next 2 or 3 minutes trying not to do so.

9:20 - Class ended. No notes were taken in this class, and I began to wonder if I was really needed there, or if I was just using up oxygen. Realized that even if that is the case, who cares! How often will someone pay you to BREATHE.

9: 25 - English

9:30 - Realized English is still my very favorite subject. And shall be forevermore.

9:50 - Took some lit notes on "points of view." Teacher (love her, want to be her friend) talked about their assignment coming up over a book they read for class.

9:51 - Secretly wished I could do the report, too.

9:52 - Realized all the hormones and awkwardness flying around the room must be messing with my brain. Reviewed my personal mission statement entitled, "I Hate School."

10:45 - History

10:46 - SNOOZE.

10:47 - Woke up and remembered that this class actually isn't so bad. Funny teacher and a little WWII recapping going on.

10:50 - Began helping C with a worksheet and marveled at C's ability to keep with her plan to say as little words to me as possible.

11:00 - Tried to come up with ways to let C know that while I understand that the world as she knows it has come to an end, that I am actually cool. I killed Middle School the first time around. She needs to realize I am an untapped resource for 6th grade popularity.

11:35 - Began checking clock every 30 seconds waiting for lunch time.

11:45 - Woo hoo! Hey C, do you need me to help you with your tray....The No-Armed Bandit had vanished without a word. I am by NO MEANS offended by this and actually marvel at her speed.

11:50 - Walked to meet up with my best friend at the school - The Drink Machine. We met the first day and became fast friends.

11:51 - Inserted coins into machine and pushed button for Diet Coke. Heard sounds of it dropping, but looked at hole and NOTHING.

11:52 - Um, crisis. Alert all school personnel.

11:52:30 - Begrudgingly put MORE money in machine, closed my eyes, and said a prayer. Pushed button and I'll be darned if 3 diet cokes didn't fall out. The Lord, He is bountiful with his blessings, indeed.

11:55 - Went out to my car - yes my car - to eat and make contact with the outside world by way of my cellular device. Enjoyed 30 minutes of freedom and food.

12: 30 - Keyboarding. I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that C has two broken arms. One can imagine how exciting that class was.

12:31-1:10 - Time stood still.

1:20 - Math.

1:21 - Teacher went over Order of Operations (AKA: Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally). Wow. Blast from the past.

1:30 - We Excused Dear Sally until the end of class and then I excused myself.

2:20 - P.E.

2:30 - Because it was raining, all the kids met in the coach's classroom and I started getting the feeling that I would not be needed.

2:31 - Asked C what she thought and she said I could go. I began to ask if she was sure and if she would be ok and poof - she was gone again.

2:32 - Nicknamed C "The Bullet."

2:35 - Took her lead and shot out to my car as fast as I could in order to return to my normal adult life for the rest of the day. :-)

When life hands you unemployment, go back to middle school

Hi!

If you are reading this, I would just like to tell you that I think you are nice. And pretty.

I know that was random, but I wanted to set the scene for this post because random is it's middle name.

1. First order of business is to share that, sadly, I have no exciting news to report on the job front. I actually never heard back from the principal of the school I interviewed with, so call me crazy, but I am going to assume that means no. I meant to call on Friday, but I became busy cleaning and organizing and didn't remember I wanted to call until after school hours.

And for reasons I cannot understand, homeboy did not give me his cell number. Weird, I know.

So onward I march down this crazy road toward employment. :-)

2. I came home from Athens at the end of last week which was sad and happy all at the same time. I stay in a state of missing at all times it seems. I have struggled with this torn feeling for the past two years - ever since I left to pursue my dream of becoming a college/grad school graduate with no job.

Dreams really do come true!

When I am in Athens I am happy. But I am also sad because I am away from home. When I leave Athens, I am sad to go. But then I am also happy because I love being home, too.

It's a wonder my head has not exploded. Stay tuned, though. You never know.

So, while I was VERY sad to leave Meg and Tyler at Casa de Seabolt, I was happy to head back to the Boro - especially because my favorite brother and his girlfriend were coming into town for the weekend.


Cuties. We had a great time just hanging out, watching movies, and eating. Ah the good life.

3. OK. I will now present to you the most random peice of news I have to share with you. On Saturday I recieved a call from the lady of the house I castle-sat for a month or so ago.


Her oldest daughter, who is in the 6th grade, broke BOTH of her arms about a week and a half ago. She fell off a horse, but that is really all the details I know about the injury itself. I think she told me more about the fall and the breaks, but in efforts not to pass out, I went to my happy place for the duration of that portion of the conversation.

So what does this have to do with me, you ask?

Well, C (the daughter) had her first day of school last Friday and long story short, it was not working for her. She was, understandably, having a really hard time, you know, writing and carrying things with NO WORKING ARMS.

So, I have been hired to go to school with her for a week (possibly two) and be her little helper. Yes, that's right. Jenna is back in the 6th grade.

They always say God has a sense of humor, and I have to say He may have outdone Himself on this one.

I report to class each morning and follow this poor girl around helping her with whatever she needs. And since one's main goal in middle school is to NOT STAND OUT in any way, C is basically hating life because 1.) she has 2 huge, hot pink casts on both of her arms, and 2.) she has this random girl next to her all day. I try to be discrete and not hover or crowd her, and she pretends like she doesn't know me.

We have a system.

Well, I'd love to talk more my return to the most awkward years of a person's life, but I must got to bed - school night!! But I am sure to be back with updates from the most random life circumstance I have ever stumbled upon.

The Debster

Reason #23459872390 why I love my Mama: She sends me sweet emails with inspirational attachments like this one I recieved yesterday...

*********************************

Hey Jenna Babe,

Just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you as you wait to hear about your job. You were blessed with the opportunity to interview, and they would be so lucky to have you!! If you are not chosen, I know some other wonderful opportunity is around the corner for you. I will continue to pray for you during this time. You have so much to offer, and I can't wait for this next phase of your life to begin!

I Love You,
Mama

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"You're the One Who Is Writing Your Story " By: Donna Fargo

Life is a wonderful mystery that we must solve. Just as our dreams choose our hearts to live in and our lives to bless, we choose how we respond to circumstances, and those choices make our stories uniquely our own.

This is where you come in. You're the perfect dreamer of your dreams. You are loved, you are wise, and you are capable. In every chapter of your life, you are the hero who will figure out how you will shape your destiny. Determine to make informed choices, and resolve to take responsibility for your future.

There are beautiful surprises and gifts of wonder waiting for you. Believe the best for yourself. Trust that you will find constructive solutions to any problems you encounter. Listen and respond accordingly as you embrace your extraordinary life.

Keep on believing. Your story is a masterpiece unfolding.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

**********************************

Thanks, Mama. :-) I love you!

No news and some good news

Well I have no news on the job front as of yet.

I am expecting to possibly hear back today because the principal I interviewed with said he would know something around mid-week. Technically, I guess that means it could be as late as tomorrow, or maybe even later if for some reason his decision-making gets stalled. I so wouldn't know what that's like at all, since I am so great with decisions.

Man, how awesome would that be if it were true?

I am anxious and excited to find out about the job, though, that is for sure - even though I am prepared for whatever the outcome is, good or bad. I am just looking forward to finding out whether I am about to go down this new path, or if I get to steer this same course a while longer til it's time for the right thing to come along.

Come on, Mr. Principal. Lives are hanging in the balance here.

But I do have some good news to report in keeping with the saga that is Job Search 2008. Since I have somewhat narrowed down what I want to do at this time, I have been in the process of getting certified in school social work so that I will be even more desirable to school system people looking to hire.

Sometimes the dimples just aren't enough.

Part of the requirement for this certification is an MSW (Master of Social Work) which, thank you Lord, I wrapped up in May. Another part of it is a Computer Competency Test which I took this morning and passed! I guess it's not all that shocking seeing as the computer is one of my closest companions - after my parents, brother, close friends, and the workers at Subway.

But I have still been a little apprehensive this week concerning the test because 1.) you just never know about these things, and 2.) I am not a good test taker.

I like papers. I like subjectivity. I like to talk it out.

But alas, the Lord showed me favor this morning as I sat at my little computer station with all the other test takers. I went through the multiple-choice questions (that were in the end pretty simple), answered them the best I could, went to the next one, and never looked back. I am very prone to go back through a test and re-read each question and second guess myself - but I have come to learn over the years that your initial reaction is usually right. I once had a computer professor in college tell me that everytime you go back on a test and change an answer, you lose 2 points.

Let that be a lesson to us all.

So, my heart was literally pounding as I hit "DONE" and waited for the screen to tell me whether I passed or if I was going to have to further prolong this process by waiting 30 days to take the test again. I was SO not into that idea.

But thankfully I peaked through one eye to read in bold letters: PASSED.

Afterwards, I came back to Meg's and we hung out for a little bit before she had to go to work. During that time we watched the latest episode of Tori and Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood - the one when Tori has her baby. Which ended up being pretty ironic since we both cried like babies watching it.

I'm sorry but if you don't cry watching a mama give birth, I would have to advise you to check your pulse and make sure you are still breathing. It is the just the sweetest thing to see and it was an honor to share this day with Tori and Dean and the millions of other reality TV junkies who tuned in.

As for now, I am off to be productive, but I will update on the job if I hear anything! Have a great Wednesday. :-)

Just your normal Saturday night activity

I mentioned that this past Saturday night, some friends came over to the house to eat a little dinner and hang out. As we sat around the table eating and laughing, we came around to the subject of Meg's husband, Tyler, needing a haircut.


A hair cut? Really? I don't see it.

Sarah, who has never cut hair in the history of her life, stepped up to the plate and volunteered to cut it. Tyler agreed to let someone with no prior experience have a whack at his very thick and beautiful locks because, well, he is a boy.

Once things started progressing, Sarah began feeling the pressure and, understandably so, became a little nervous. Thankfully, we all had more than enough confidence in her, and after some "SA-RAH! SA-RAH!" chanting, homegirl got the scissors.

But once they touched her hands, she got a very devilish look in her eye, and I became afeared for the safety of Tyler's hairs.


Then I became even more concerned when I noticed the method Sarah planned to use.


Thankfully, Brother Tyler said a quick hair prayer (I think we've all said 'em)...


...and the Lord healed Sarah's mind of it's destructive plans. Her eyes went back to their normal sweet selves, and she began snipping away in a careful and loving manner.


Unfortunately this did not calm all of Tyler's fears.

"Uh oh. My stomach feels a little nervous, I hope I don't..."

"EEK! I pooted."

Gross Tyler! I can't smell.

After a few minutes, T-LAR did start feeling better, and his mood changed substantially.

"I likes getting my hairs cut!"

If you are wondering where Tyler's wife was during these moments of hair uncertainty and transformation, rest assured that she was very interested and concerned.

Meanwhile Sarah kept plugging along, and T took the opportunity to contemplate the mystery of life.

And marvel at his unicurl.

Throughout the course of the cut, hair consultant Erika helped lend moral support and offer suggestions. We are all about unity and teamwork here at Sarah's Barber Shop.


Most of us anyway...


And pretty soon, all the hard work paid off because we came out with an awesome finished product!

Weekend Fun

This whole interview thing (recap below!) actually came at a really great time. I was planning to travel back to Athens this coming Wednesday anyway for an appointment - so scheduling the interview for Friday caused two exciting things to occur. First off, I would be heading back to A-town earlier than expected. Yay. And secondly, I would get to stay longer than I had originally planned. Double yay.

So I will be here until at least Wednesday afternoon hanging out with my peeps/roommates.


Seriously, how cute are these people?


GAH, get a room! Oh wait, that's right. You have a room because this is your house.

Anyway, Wednesday-ish is when I am looking to hear back from the school about the job, so the results of that will determine where I find myself in the coming weeks. In Athens working? At home? At some other undisclosed location?

I need to look for my crystal ball. I think I lost it in the move.

As I wait for the future to become the present job wise, I am thoroughly enjoying my current days of freedom. In the spirit of living it up, we had a great weekend just relaxing and hanging out. Meg worked on Saturday, and I, well, did the opposite of work. Let's just say that my bed and I spent some quality time together.

Saturday night some of Meg and Tyler's friends came over for dinner and we had lots of fun laughing and carrying on like the crazy people we are. The food was almost as amazing as the fellowship, which is saying a lot because the food...Mmmmm.

Couldn't beat it with a stick.

Today we enjoyed an awesome morning at church. I love Meg and Tyler's church so much. Big T is the Associate Pastor there, and it is just one of those places that you walk in and feel instantly comfortable and where the presence of God is so strong.

After church Meg and I posed for a picture and a miracle occurred right there in the sanctuary because it actually turned out cute. This brings our grand total of cute pictures to a whopping TWO, because for some unknown reason we have problems when it comes to getting a good one. Feel free to call Unsolved Mysteries at your leisure about this issue.


Meg and I realize more and more each day how we are slowly becoming the same person. Today we showed it by both sporting the wide-leg pant/cardigan-over-a-cami-look. Interestingly enough, this happens to be a look I have patented - which begs the question of who is copying who here. :)

Let us ponder this as we make note of the over-sized totes (both from my homeland, Target) we were both sporting. Love and love.

After church we headed out into the life-sized crock pot that is nature at the moment to watch Tyler play some Ultimate Frisbee.



We brought Rigby along because she is so fun-loving and we have no powers to fight off her cuteness.


We even break the law on her behalf when needed.


Sadly, the heat caused Rigby to lose the will to live just inches away from her water bowl.

Tonight Meg, another friend Sarah, and I visited our old friend La Cazuela where I rekindled my relationship with the Crazy Taco. It was so good to see CT and his cousins Chips and Salsa again. I think about them daily.

It was great way to end a wonderful weekend!

The results

Thank you all so much for the prayers and well wishes on the ole interview!

And before I recap, let's talk about something even more important. Wasn't that blue jacket the cutest?? I got that from a little place I like to call Ashley's Closet. As in Ashley, the mama of my little boys. And as in her real closet.

Girl hooked me up.

I just love "shopping" there. Really great prices, friendly service. Good return policy. Plus the owner has the cutest kids. :)

Ok, back to the task at hand: The Interview.

I am happy to report that I think it went pretty well. I felt comfortable, prepared, and calm. I had gotten some good advice on possible questions I might be asked, so I had several thought-out answers in my back pocket. I actually practiced a bit in the car on the way over there.

And let me just tell you, I killed the car interview. I'm pretty sure I'm going to hire myself.

Once I got to the school, I sat down with the principal and we conversed easily, which I suspected - I normally don't have too much of a problem talking with people (I'm sure that comes as a shock since I obviously don't love words or anything). We had good rapport and shared some laughs. He was a really nice guy so that helped.

He also commented on how cute he thought Ashley's jacket was.

Juuuuuust kidddddding. But wouldn't that have been awesome? Slash borderline inappropriate.

We did, however, talk about my experiences, my education, and a lot about what the job would entail.

It's a middle school Graduation Coach, by the way - not sure if I ever said that. It's a fairly new position that our governor recently put into the schools, so the job itself is very open as far as what people do with it. The job description varies from school to school and grad coach to grad coach, but basically it's a school counselor/social worker/teacher all rolled into one. Some of the common goals are to help at-risk kids and work to instill academic skills that will give all students a greater chance at academic success (aka graduation) later down the road. It is somewhat of a catch all position, and what the person in the job does really depends on the needs of the school.

So anyways, we shall see. I should know something by next week. And even though I felt good about the whole experience, I didn't walk away feeling like I nailed it by any means. He shared with me that a LOT of qualified applicants turned up for the job, and he still had a few more interviews to do. Honestly, I walked out feeling like I didn't get it, so I'm here to tell you - if I do, then it is 100% God.

Of course, it's 100% God if I don't get it, too. He is the Man with the plan, after all.

When I was riding down there, I was just really praying that if I was supposed to have this job, that God would make it happen. And then also letting God know that if it's not the right place for me, I am most certainly ok with NOT getting it. I definitely don't have my hopes up too high, even though I believe that I would really enjoy this job and that it's one in which I feel I could do really well.

But what the heck do I know, really? I'm new.

I'll just keep truckin along as far as He takes this whole search for employment because I know the end result (whatever it is) will be the best.

Ephesians 3:20, anyone? I'm all over it. :)

It's about that time...

I'm off to go try and convince some peeps to hire me :)


Hope ya'll are having a great Friday!