Footprints of a Crow

Luxuries: Before & After Kids

2012-01-19T09:22:00.003-07:00

So I was thinking this morning about what I consider to be a "luxury" now that Josiah is constantly attached to my hip. Then I got to thinking how different it is from even this time last year! Here is a short compilation:

Luxuries before kids:
Eating out
Going to the movies at any time of night
Meeting couples at events
Picnicing at concerts
Buying cute dresses
Anniversary or weekend vacations
Stay up late watching TV
Taking a nap on Sundays

Luxuries WITH kids:
Going to the bathroom alone
Going to the store while it's raining
Eating a hot meal in a restaurant
Leaving on time
Sweeping without someone chasing the broom
Making it 2 days without washing bottles bc he ate so many solids
Taking a shower
Staying seated through Church service
Having an empty car (doesn't constantly have a pack&play, stroller, diaper bag and carseat in it)
Carrying a purse or Wearing heals
Sleeping through the night
Being away from the house after 7pm

What are your luxuries now that you have kiddos around????

Cooking And More

2012-01-12T09:39:00.003-07:00

So I know most of you are wondering, now that I am staying home, if I am keeping up my end of the marital bargain. There were several posts/blogs back in the summer when I was working part time, trying to show Austin what kind of fancy meals he could expect if I was at home more. Well, nearly two weeks into his new job and me at home (and no one to visit for the holidays) it has been a smooth and successful transition!

Instead of traditional Lipton pasta bags tossed with chicken, or frozen pizza, or fast food we have altered that! Although there have been a couple of pizza nights, I have been trying very hard to come up with yummy, and somewhat healthier meals for both of us. Most recently I have made black bean quesadillas (last night), chicken fried rice (bad recipe, won't retry!), chicken & dumplings, veal meatloaf, chicken enchiladas, beef lasagna, gourmet burgers and I'm sure others I can't think of right now. As for breakfasts, I am trying to make sure Austin gets some and takes plenty of healthy snacks with him (nuts, celery, carrots, raisins, apples, crackers). The breakfasts made are: zucchini bread, breakfast casserole, strawberry pancakes, fruit smoothies, bagels, and eggs & toast.

Josiah's eating solids too!!! He gets a banana every morning and usually a second fruit after his first nap. Then a veggie and some cheerios for lunch, cheerios for snack after second nap and either oatmeal or yogurt for dinner. We start last bottle and reading to him around 6:30, then he goes to bed around 7. Last night he slept all 12 hours for the second time (first time was last week) and the night before I didn't feed him but put him back to sleep and let him fuss for a bit for both typical "feedings." I'm hoping that by this weekend when he turns 9 months that he will be consistently sleeping through the night!!!

Thanks for all of your support, and keep sending me yummy recipes to try!

2012 - The Best Year Ever

2012-01-02T08:54:00.002-07:00

Ok, so 2011 had some bumps, but with prayer from many, many people and considerable help from Mom, we got through it! However, the most joyous event EVER occurred in 2011 - the birth of our first son!!!!! He is growing daily and healthy as can be :) We can't ask for more than that.

So how is 2012 going to be different, you think to yourself behind your computer? New jobs and new roles in the household. Some of you may know, but it hasn't been public knowledge yet: I have chosen to stay home with Josiah and cook and clean the house. In addition to that I will be working on attaining my real estate license so that I may sell homes on weekends and evenings when Austin can be home with Josiah.

Austin is starting a new job today. He will be working for a family in our church installing phone systems. I think he will enjoy it as it involves many of his hobbies, just not guitar. Speaking of which, he received a beautiful new one from his mommy for Christmas.

My second resolution (other than getting my license) is to read two books this year. I know, for most of you that seems very small, but I never read and as I get older and am now at home, I will need to do something to keep my brain active and not static. So I am going to try to read one book by June 30th and then another by the end of the year. I usually get 3-4 chapters in, and then forget to ever pick it up again, so I am in the middle of a dozen books, but would need to restart most of them. Any suggestions on what I should read that would hold my attention, would be helpful. (I should note, I don't care about teeny-bopper books)

Josiah's birthday is Saturday, April 14th, and I don't see why everyone can't be invited to help celebrate him turning one. Everybody we know has given him or us gifts, money, food, shelter, advice, wisdom, or babysitting! So you should all be able to see him crawl and probably walk by then. Come help us celebrate the birthday of the best thing that has ever happened to this family, and hopefully, tell me if you need to buy or sell a home too ;-)

Stationery card

2011-11-04T22:59:00.001-06:00

Take Your Place Rehearsal Dinner Invitation

Unique shower invitations and birth announcements by Shutterfly.

View the entire collection of cards.

Tonight

2011-10-23T21:55:00.002-06:00

What do I want to write about? We watched game 4 tonight and I was so sleepy during it I was thankful we didn't have to go into the last half of the inning. But now I am laying in bed with a husband fast asleep and I find myself wanting to chat; but it's 11pm and every smart person is already in bed. So I shall write to you and you can read this when you are awake and have a few moments to spare to catch up on the Crows.

Josiah cut both bottom teeth this morning. You can barely see them, but certainly feel them - they hurt when he chews on your fingers! Also, he's almost crawling. He can maneuver to wherever he wants, but "crawling" per se, is not quite there. Lastly, he had a lunch date yesterday with his fiance, Cadence, who dressed so adorable for him!!!

We were so productive yesterday that I had to take a nap this afternoon, and slept most of the day - until Josiah woke from his nap to tell me he was hungry. We washed all of the bottles and all of our clothes, cleaned up the house some, and then bbq-ed burgers, chicken and veggies - yum!

Tomorrow starts the new week, and back on my old schedule of having off Wednesdays. The previous two weeks I was off for traveling days to fly back and forth to PA, which was a lively time, but didn't give a mommy the needed rest that her expected Wednesdays usually provide. This Wednesday I have several things planned: library time for Josiah and a trip to the zoo. Plus I will need to make more baby food for next week (I'm a week or two ahead right now -yay).

The holidays are around the corner and the parties and gathering start next Sat with a halloween party, from there we have stuff nearly every week: a young people's potluck, family photos, Thanksgiving, my mother-in-law's wedding, adventure landing, hayride with santa, church xmas party, then christmas and new years. If you would like to join in any of these activities or get on our schedule, call or text us - we'd love to see EVERYONE!!!

Hmmmm, this isn't at all what I figured I'd type about, but I guess it was about time for an update. Austin's snoring now, so I better turn in before it gets so loud I can't block it out. Goodnight world, thank you for staying up to listen to me :)

Milestone Month

2011-10-03T11:31:00.004-06:00

According to Babycenter Josiah is ahead of schedule on just about everything except speech development, and that he's on-time. This week he has made a huge jump in development as 9/23 he got up on all 4's, and yesterday afternoon when he did he lunged forward to get my mom's iphone! He hasn't figured out how to pick up each limb individually, but now he is mobile :( He's been rolling over both ways for about 2 months.

He should be able to sit on his own by now, except that he hates sitting - he'd rather be standing, which he can do for a few seconds on his own while he's holding on to something.

Next month, it says to start working with the babies to have them be able to grasp objects and switch from one hand to the other - he's been doing this for over a month! And a couple weeks ago, he started taking the pacifier out of his mouth, and trying to put it back again (he rarely gets the mouth part in, usually he bites on one of the ends, but still...).

We started him on solids about 2 weeks ago expecting him to sleep longer - not quite! Now he goes to bed about an hour later, and wakes about an hour earlier! Oh well, about every other night, he is down to one feeding per night if he's really zonked. Otherwise, he feeds around 1am and 5:30am. So far he's eaten bananas, apples, squash, yams, and carrots. He hates sweet potatos - epic fail. And later this week, he will be trying plums.

Lastly, his speech. Starting Sat morning, he started saying "da-da-da-da-da" over and over. He listens intently to everyone, and likes to talk to himself too in the car. He can turn towards sounds, and sometimes responds to his name. He's been smiling for weeks, but now it is super easy to make him laugh - because he's tickelish on his ribs (where his daddy is tickelish!).

We can't wait to see what he can do by Christmas! He'll be 8.5 months then.

Updated House Pics

2011-09-13T10:43:00.013-06:00

Now that we have been here three years, it's time to put up some updated photos!!! If you go to this page you can see the progress that has been made over the years. Thank you to EVERYONE who helped make this possible!

blogs

2011-08-24T15:06:00.002-06:00

I can't even explain how badly I need a nap, but thanks to Josiah not going down more than 30 min at a time today, naps are a thing of he past. However, I have been able to relax just a bit and read a blog I discovered today. A blog so funny, that I am actually blogging about it. It's a parenting blog, but you don't have to be a parent - or even married - to enjoy it. I'm only about 10 posts in and was about to pee myself.

Enjoy!

10 Years in the Making

2011-08-10T23:46:00.003-06:00

Although it's not an official anniversary, or one we celebrate, it is noteworthy (or blogworthy) that as of August 31, 2011 Austin & I will have been together for ten years! I was in Bible class this week and we were going over tips for a successful marriage, and I realized how many of them we have incorporated into our marriage in our own fashion. We have been asked by many other couples over the years what our secret is to seeming to be so successful. Here are my tips!

1) Have God at the center of your lives as an individual, then it will be a cinch to keep Him at the center of your marriage
2) Pray with and for each other
3) When you want to argue, ask if you will care about the outcome next week, whether you win or not
4) When someone starts to raise their voice or get an attitude, the other person leaves the room - no one needs to be treated disrespectfully, even in an argument
5) One law we put into practice years ago was that we can't leave each other without a kiss, even if it's just to run to the store
6) When you walk by your spouse, grab their butt, or cheek, or bicep, or whatever so they know you are thinking about them even when the mundane day-to-day activities are in progress
7) At least pretend to enjoy each other's hobbies, maybe not ALL of them, but at least the ones that are most important to your spouse
8) If you both work, clean the house together - at the same time. You'll see the progress you both made and you are genuinely helping each other for a positive outcome (even if you hate cleaning)
9) If you have a Saturday afternoon open, get out and do something! Throw the frisbee, go window shopping, throw the kids in the stroller and take a walk, get some yogurt, buy some "just because" cards for friends, take some silly photos in the booth at the mall, etc
10) Say "I love you" (and mean it) every morning before you get out of bed, every night before you drift off to sleep, and at least 5 other times during the day. Guys, if you can't say it, text it!
11) Continue to write each other sweet nothings, that's not just for the hook & bait of dating
12) Two words: Nap Cuddles
13) Make time to spend a couple hours a week together, and turn off the TV, laptops, ipods and phones - talk!
14) Laugh at every instance possible! This is the worldly glue that holds us together!

The key to a man's heart is through his stomach

2011-08-01T22:06:00.002-06:00

I have been trying to bribe Austin into letting me stay home full-time, with food. So I have been making more upscale meals and this is a sampling of what I have made lately:

Bacon-wrapped Scallops
Penne Pasta with Spinach
Cod and homemade Mashed Potatoes
Sour Cream Enchiladas
BBQ Chicken and Green Bean Casserole

As a side note, I've been trying to make sure the kitchen is clean more often and the laundry is not all over the house. These may seem like mundane things, but they are a big leap forward since I am only working part-time now.

Date Night Each Month

2011-07-24T16:30:00.001-06:00

We used to be able to pick up and do whatever we wanted, whenever we wanted - and we took that for granted. Now date night consists first and foremost of "who is available to babysit?" For right now, Josiah goes with us everywhere, but we have gone out a couple of times on our own.

For our anniversary, Laura was kind enough to hang out our house while Josiah slept 90% of the time she was here. Easy job for those of you who want it! Austin and I went to Red Lobster for dinner and then to an outdoor jazz concert in downtown Frisco. Then, on the way home, stopped off for ice cream at Dairy Queen. It was a WONDERFUL night! We had a blast!!!

Thank you to the love of my life for still wanting to hang out with me after all these years - I love you!

3 months and counting

2011-07-06T18:39:00.003-06:00

Well, it's about that time for a new update on Josiah. Tomorrow he is 3 months old - my how it has flown. I know they say it goes by faster with little ones, but it goes by even faster while working with little ones.

Josiah can now very easily roll from his belly onto his back. A little too easily, because he doesn't like it when it happens! He also coos and talks regularly, mostly in the morning after he wakes up and in the evening before bed time. However, he is staying awake more and more during the day. It's helpful so that he sleeps through most of the night. For the last few days, off and on, he sleeps from 10pm - 8am or so with a feeding at 1:30ish and 5:30. Nap times are hard as he has been fighting them more and more lately. The last two days, I have learned the trick to his naptime, we have to go back to swaddling and letting him cry himself to sleep. Today he was out for nearly 3 hours!!! We don't swaddle him any longer for night-time bed. Stopped that quite a while back when he realized he would just kick until he could get his arms free, and it made him way to hot. But the footie-onesines make him sleep much longer.

This week he has decided to lock his knees and practice standing (with a ton of help). I need to give him more tummy time, but he just rolls over onto his back within 60 seconds and then gets frustrated. He can push with his feet and scoot along the floor on his back, but for no real reason other than exercise because he doesn't care to go after anything yet. He still kicks constantly and that's probably why he is staying a little under weight - burning so many calories each day.

As for me, I lost all but 5 pounds of my pregnancy weight in the first week after delivery, but the last 5 pounds took until a couple of weeks ago. Yay breastfeeding! However, I am now back to work, and afraid sitting on my behind for 3 days a week might negate all of my eating right. I finally have breastfeeding down, and it's much easier now. I was ready to give up early on, and I'm glad I didn't. My boss is helpful in this arena too because I have to leave twice a day to go next door (to our church nursery) and pump for the babysitters.

We are so blessed to have him, and looking back, can't believe we waited this long!

10 Pounds

2011-06-15T11:47:00.002-06:00

Today was our 2 month checkup, and Josiah is right on schedule now. He weighed 10 pounds 5 ounces and I believe they said he is 23.5 inches long. His head is also growing, and ginormous :)

He is eating about every 90 minutes and sleeps roughly 5 hours at night before he wakes to eat and then goes back down for about 3 more hours. That schedule I can handle. Austin has been such a dear and helps all of the time. He gets to watch Josiah Tue & Thurs until 1:30 and that is perfect baby/daddy time.

Josiah is smiling a little bit more every day, and now laughs in his sleep. For the last few days he has started coo-ing while awake and not just when he's passed out in the carseat.

I have bee back to work part time since June 6th, and am enjoying it. I have off Wednesdays so that I can sleep or run errands, or both (today was "both"). We have ladies from the church who are off through the summer due to teaching schedules, helping us out during the days that Austin or myself are not home. We are truly blessed with all of the help we are continuing to receive.

Well, Austin is home and I hope he brought lunch, because I'm starving.

Motherhood Learned

2011-06-03T08:45:00.003-06:00

I have several friends who are pregnant right now, 3 that are very close to me and it got me thinking of everything I have learned about motherhood in the last 7 weeks. So for those expecting or wanting to be moms, here's a short list of funny things I have realized that may help you one day.

1. If breastfeeding, you must feed before you shower, or expect a lot of cleanup.
2. Get into a bedtime routine early, starting when they are capable of being awake more than 2 hours at a time.
3. Receiving blankets are not for keeping warm, but to be used as napkins, always have at least 2 with you.
4. Fingernails on infants serve no purpose but to scratch themselves and others.
5. In my kid's case, feetie onesies are the best to sleep in when swaddling no longer works.
6. Always have a camera handy.....and diapers.
7. You can never use too many wipes.
8. When burping a child who just had formula, LOOK AWAY! You don't want that burp smell anywhere near your nostrils.
9. Teach them to sleep with silence and noise, as well as lights on and off.
10. Most importantly, the dishes can wait until tomorrow, stare at them all day and watch them change before your eyes.

Stuff Cooked

2011-06-02T08:11:00.004-06:00

Well this is my last day left on my maternity leave, then a weekend, and then it's back to the office. I have a lot to do so that I can have a peaceful, easy weekend with lots of sleep before I go back. But last night as I was cooking dinner, it dawned on me everything I have already done.

Here's a short list of everything cool or new I have cooked since I have been home; mind you, previously I cooked about 10 times since September. Items with * were new.

* Chicken & Dumplings twice
* French Toast Casserole
* Muffins
* Breakfast Casserole
* Tuna & Rice Casserole
* Black Bean Queso
Lasagna twice
Chicken Enchiladas twice
Turkey & Dressing
Salmon Croquets
Peanut Shrimp & Rice
* Apple Smoked Venison - trying today

Baby Dancing

2011-05-30T22:19:00.003-06:00

For those not on facebook, or didn't see the original post, here is a cute video from this weekend. It should at least make you smile :-)

Click here.

We are doing well. This is my last week of maternity leave so I am going to cherish every moment he's awake, and try to get a few things accomplished while he's sleeping. We are going to start reading Proverbs tonight. Next week I am going to start studying the basic baby signs because they can start seeing at 3 months, and able to understand and sign too at 6 months. Looking forward to see all that he can do over the next several months - it's ben a thrill so far!

Loves to all, and thanks for the continued support!

A Month in Review

2011-05-17T15:36:00.002-06:00

Today Josiah had his 1 month check up. His head is giant and he is now 22 inches long. His weight is up, but not as much as it should be, he is 8 lbs, 6 oz. I go back to work in 2.5 weeks, and he'll need to be on some formula by then anyway, so this week we will start adding in a little bit to see how he reacts. He has done fine with premade milk, but powder formula didn't go so well. He eats every two hours, so maybe formula would help anyway.

Austin and I have adjusted, but will have to readjust when I go back to work. Currently, I handle all after midnight night shifts Sun-Thurs, and then he helps considerably on Fri and Sat nights to let me catch up on extra sleep. We had our fist date night last Fri and went to a little guitar concert at the Allen library for a couple of hours. I am impressed daily with how much Austin jumps at the opportunity to help when he is home.

We had Josiah on the 14th, and took him to church on the 20th. He has been out to eat a few times, and to the grocery store twice. He sees grandmom in Frisco about once a week as well. We all went to a BBQ on Saturday and I think he had a blast. After his 2 week checkup we drove out to Abilene to introduce him to friends and family, so he is quite the traveler.

All of the ladies at church can't get enough of him!! I'm surprised there haven't been any fist fights yet. They are going to be such a blessing as hey have offered to help watch him this summer.

I can't wait to see how much he grows and changes over the next month too - although it's already breaking my heart some to see how advanced he is in some areas. I hope he doesn't grow up too fast!

Josiah's Arrival

2011-04-21T22:18:00.005-06:00

Well, this will be long and detailed - I don't expect anyone to read all of this, but it's for my record. Some of you may have read Austin's post from the day Josiah was born at 4am, but this will be a little bit more detailed of an account, and continue for the first few days of Josiah's life.

Everday Morning: Wed, 4/13 Mom, Austin and I went to the Dr for our weekly checkup. This was going to be the last one as we were to decide if we were going to go natural or pick an induction date. The appointment was at 11am and the doc told me I was at 1cm, which was a drastic improvement from the previous week, but not enough to get things going soon. So the doc did a 10 second procedure to see if it would kickstart contractions. She said if it worked, then in the next 12-24 hours, I would start having contractions, and from there start dialating more, and then it would be a more natural process. Then we walked down the hall to get a sonogram of the little guy, and we could see his face and he was sleeping with his hand in front of his mouth - precious! The tech said he weighed about 7 pounds, and was doing fine.

Contractions Starting: About 12:30 we headed to Cheddars for lunch. I wasn't feeling up to eating due the immense amount of pressure brought on by the recent procedure, but knew I needed to so I got salad and baked potato. At 1:30 Austin headed to work, and Mom and I went to run some errands. We went to see my boss to drop some stuff off, then to get my nails done (for the first time in months, but planned on before I went into labor), then to Whole Foods for Mom to get groceries. By the time we were in Whole Foods the pressure was building stronger, and about 15 minutes into shopping the first contraction hit in the produce section! A few minutes later we were on another aisle, and here came another one! We decided we should head home, and I probably shouldn't drive. We got to my house about 3:45 and after realizing I had 2-3 more contractions quickly, Mom started timing them, just so we had an idea where I was starting - 7.5min apart! After 30 min of this, Austin came home from work. Within 3 more contractions I was ready to get in the tub to see if they would slow down or at least lessen the pain. The pain lessened for a while, but the contractions kept coming stronger and closer together. Austin called our doctor's office and the nurse said to go ahead and go to the hospital. We waited about 30 more minutes while I dried off and tried to rest and Austin frantically packed his hospital bag (mine had been in the car for 3 weeks).

To the Hospital: At 5:20 we were in the car and the contractions were consistently under 3 min apart and getting hard to deal with naturally. I knew I'd be getting an epi and was told to get to the hospital about 45 min before you can't take it anymore so the nurses can get me ready and call the anesthesiologist. Austin did 80 most of the 6 mile drive to the hospital with Mom following closely. Medical Center McKinney has valet parking for emergencies so I was driven up to the door, put in a wheelchair, and Austin and I headed to the second floor to have a baby! When we got there, no one knew we were coming. Come to find out the hospital AND our doctor were never informed I was going into labor. They found me a bed to scream in, and contractions are now nearly 2 minutes apart. Nurse came in to check me and I was at 3cm. She left for quite a while and finally came back to start my IV. After almost an hour later a phlebotomist came in to draw blood - WHAT??? I was hacked because she had to draw blood and get the lab results back before I could get an epi - this process would take an additional half hour. Finally the love of my life came in, not Austin, but the anesthesiologist. It took just a short while to give me the epidural and about 2 more contractions for it to kick in - then I was happy and ready to prepare for the labor. Up to this point Austin was rubbing my back and Mom was holding my hand helping me breathe, focus, and count through contractions every 2 minutes.

Josiah's Here: Nurses came and went over the next several hours. My doctor showed up when I hit 4cm and broke my water, waited a half hour and realized that wasn't helping me dilate naturally so they started the potocin drip. Austin's mom arrived around 10:30pm. And we pretty much just had a party until midnight with coffee and anxiousness. At midnight, I was at 8cm, and about an hour later it was time to get ready to start pushing. Austin stayed in the room and was quite a trooper! I pushed with each contraction for 45 minutes, but thanks to wonderful drugs, felt very little of it :) At 2:18am on Thur 4/14, out came Thomas Josiah Crow at 7 pounds 13.6 ounces and 20 inches long! Austin video taped his first 5 minutes of life, and it makes me cry each time I watch it! I am so glad he got it on video!!! They immediately put Josiah on my chest and I was able to keep him there a few minutes until the nausea set in. That was the last time I held my son for several hours.

Here Comes the Pain: My body was not wide enough for his giant 13.5 inch head and so it took about 45 minutes for the doctor to stich me back up. Afterwards, Mom and Beth came back in the room to see their new grandson. Austin went down to the nursery with Josiah. With each continuing contraction to minimize the uterus came sharp, pulsating pain from the stitches. Mom held my hand and watched me flinch each time until the nurse finally put drugs into my IV to knock me out. All of this while trying not to throw up on anyone. By far, the worse part of the entire process.

The Hangover: When I came to about 7am I opened my eyes to see Austin beside me, he hadn't been to bed all night. I asked him what happened, where Josiah was and then mentioned I could see my toes. I was still in a delivery room instead of recovery because there was an influx of babies and 3 other couples also spent extra time in their rooms before being moved to a recovery room. Breakfast came, and then the sweet nurse came to see how I was and if the drugs had worn off. I wouldn't be allowed off my catheter or the IV until I could prove I could walk myself to the bathroom. With a couple of numb toes and Austin's help, I was able to make it, so the cords came off. Josiah was wheeled back in later and I was able to hold him again!

Breastfeeding - The Next Fronteer: This is NOT as easy a it looks! It was painful and discouraging when I couldn't get him to latch. Austin had given him his first feeding in the nursery the night before by bottle and he drank about 5 CCs. Now it was my turn and it took about 5 days to get the hang of it. Although it is financially better, and certainly healthier on baby and mommy, it is highly time-consuming! But I'm getting it.

Hospital Stay: Both our moms were at the hospital each day for several hours. We had visitors left and right and were happy to see all of them! The first was our two preachers, Jerry and Shawn who came Thur morning and prayed for Josiah and us. On Friday morning my doctor came in to tell me my anemia was much worse and my blood count was low (oh yeah, they had drawn blood 2 more times). She recommended a blood transfusion but I told her I wasn't exhibiting any serious signs so she wanted to monitor me for one more day before she would release me. I got up and put on my own clothes and freshened up some since I could walk around now that the previous night nurse knew to up my pain dosage for my stitches.

New Release Party: Sat morning we were excited to finally be going home, as Austin hadn't left the hospital the entire time we were there. I got a shower and new clothes and a beautiful outlook for our new life to begin! The Barcrofts arrived at the hospital that morning along with our moms, and Toph & Marnie arrived around noon and all helped load stuff, me and Josiah into the car. We had 4 vehicles following us home and this time Austin drove the speed limit (maybe a little under!). At home, we got settled in as more family started to arrive: my dad, grandad, brother, uncle, aunt and cousin (Wilsons) all showed up to take a peek at the new arrival. Laura Barker came as well, and she will be around all the time! This was truly a great time, and we have the pictures to prove it (although not with the camera we had at the hospital, because somehow that didn't make it into the car). Beth stayed the night after everyone else left to make sure we didn't need anything for the first night at home.

Thanks to all who helped that week!

Last Days - detailed, not for the squeemish

2011-04-06T12:43:00.004-06:00

Well several of you have already called, texted or emailed for an update, and since Josiah seems to be on everyone else's mind, and not just ours, I figured I better post an update before you get too antsy ;)

The News: Tuesday (4/5) we went to the Dr for our weekly checkup. We had gone in the week before and weren't surprised that I hadn't dilated as no contractions had been going on. However, I had been having braxton hicks contractions starting Sunday around noon, so we were hopeful that there was some movement this week. But to our (and the Dr's) dismay, still sitting at zero. Contractions continued until about midnight last night, and I haven't really had any today. Seems like he'll still be cooking for a few more days.

The Plan: If we don't go into labor in the next week, Austin and I will be heading back to the Dr's office for one last visit on Wed at 10:30am for a dilation check, sonogram and fetal heart monitoring to see if Josiah is strong enough for an induced labor. With the amount of kicking he's been doing, I'd say he'll be fine, me on the other hand...... So unless you get a text in the next 7 days stating we are heading to the hospital, be on the lookout for another update next Wed when we will have an induction date scheduled - this is not preferred because if I'm still at zero I will have to go into the hospital 12 hours early to take medication to soften the cervix before they even start to induce with a pitocin drip.

Your continued prayers are requested, and as soon as we have more info, I'll pass it along. Or my moms will if we are in the hospital :) If you want more info, or to just call and check in, feel free! Austin just got a new phone and is still enjoying playing with it everytime he gets a text or call.

Pregnancy Update

2011-03-22T16:13:00.002-06:00

We are now 37 weeks and 3 days. Essentially, 2.5 weeks from our due date. Went to the doctor today and have good news and mediocre news. Good news: I have only gained a total of 10 pounds since I first went in at 11 weeks :D Yeah Baby!!! Mediocre news: no dialation, and since I haven't really had any contractions, no chance he's coming this week. I guess the gravitational pull of the moon didn't do much. She did measure my tummy and say "he's really high up today." And my response was "yes, I think he may have bruised a rib."

Josiah's heart beat was as high as ever - 170 bpm. So he's still wiggling and getting good exercise. He has hiccups just about every night as I lay down, and probably 3 days a week too.

The changing table arrived today, so Austin and I are giong to walmart to pick it up and put it together. Car seat & stroller was given to us by the church on Sunday, and we also need to open those and put them together.

Thanks to ALL who are constantly excited for us and calling to see how we are doing. I will update next week, and hopefully have more progressive news then (but hopefully, no more weight!).

Sleep Eludes Me, and for Once it's Not Josiah's Fault

2011-03-18T02:32:00.003-06:00

So for once I was sound asleep and loving it. Then, with a loud noise I was startled awake enough to also wake up Josiah. We have the bedroom windows open and the neighbor's A/C had kicked on. But since it took me about a half hour to realize that was the noise, I then had to pee. Now I have been awake about 90 minutes and their A/C has kicked off - but how long will that last? Will I be jolted awake again as soon as I close the laptop? Ugh, I hope not.

For those of you asleep now and for the last 5 hours, be thankful!

Pics for non-facebook friends

2011-03-07T18:55:00.011-07:00

Here are a few pics from the West Allen Baby Shower - thank you ladies!!!

Here are a few of our maternity photos, the rest will come later:

For the Ladies

2011-03-04T22:44:00.002-07:00

So this is a little personal, but since I was curious last week, I thought others might be as well.

Ok, reaching my ankles has become a challenge, and it will only get worse over the next few weeks. So I have started to consider alternate options for shaving my legs.

1) Waxing: Before my Hawaii trip 2 years ago, I had my legs waxed - horrible idea!!! Hurt like I can't explain, and didn't work! There were patches missed, hair still on knees, and what was removed, came back in less than a week. This will never be done again.

2) Plucking: Yes, this sounds, and is, tedious. But I know of people who plucked their entire legs in their younger years, and now only have to grab a renegade hair every few weeks. They literrally have no hair growing on their legs. I tried this method once in college. I had shaved, and as usual missed several on my knees. So I grabbed some tweezers and decided to go to town. How bad can it be? I tweeze my eyebrows, and that has never hurt. THIS HURT! I tried two hairs, and nearly broke into tears. This method will also not be tried again.

3) Nair: This brings me up to tonight where our story really begins. I bought "shower nair" to try out. Followed the directions as recommended, didn't get it in my eyes, and it seems to have worked. Other than the fact it was kinda cold going on, no pain!! (I'm a huge fan of that) Tonight we shall see if I have any adverse effects, but for right now, my legs are silky smooth with no pain and little bending. Certainly no balancing with a razor in my hand! If I do have a reaction I will update, but for now, I just wanted you gals to know my experiences with this required, American hygiene policy.

If there are other methods out there, I am still open to possibilities. Or just post your experiences with these ways to remove a protective layer on our legs that God put there on purpose.

Just a funny story!

2011-01-19T14:15:00.000-07:00

It's wise to remember how easily email -- this wonderful technology -- can be misused, sometimes unintentionally, with serious consequences. Read this short funny story

Wrong Email:

An Illinois man who left the snow-filled streets of Chicago for a vacation in Florida. His wife was on a business trip and was planning to meet him there the next day. When he reached his hotel, he decided to send his wife a quick email.

Unfortunately, when typing her address, he missed one letter, and his note was directed instead to an elderly preacher's wife whose husband had passed away only the day before. When the grieving widow checked her email, she took one look at the monitor, let out a piercing scream, and fell to the floor in a dead faint.

At the sound, her family rushed into the room and saw this note on the screen:

"Dearest Wife,
Just got checked in. Everything prepared for your arrival tomorrow."

Christmas Review

2010-12-27T10:18:00.004-07:00

Well, we are finally home, but let's start from the beginning:

Wednesday, I left work at 3:15pm with my husband and his sister and headed for Abilene. We dropped her off, picked up my mom, got some caffeine, and kept going West until we hit Carlsbad around midnight. Thursday and Friday were spent playing games, cooking, cleaning, and lots of eating with family I haven't seen in months. We are very blessed to still have so many of them around. Friday night (Christmas Eve) we opened presents by the fireplace and were merry and cheerful. Saturday morning was spent saying "goodbyes" and giving lots of hugs as we left town after lunch and started our journey back to the East for Abilene.

Saturday night we arrived in Abilene to a turkey feast, family, and more presents under a new tree! It's always hilarious watching senior citizens try and open gifts :D Austin's family has always been welcoming to me, and I love spending time with them. After all of the presents had been opened and pictures were taken, we scooted off to my brother's apartment for a quiet night's sleep - but it was very cold there, and it took about an hour to warm up the place enough to fall asleep.

We met Austin's family for church on Sunday moring and then enjoyed turkey leftovers once more at their house. Everyone was dressed to the max for Christmas photos to be sent to all (be on the lookout via facebook for that collection). Then we got one last hug from everyone and went to spend some newly arrived Christmas money!

Austin drove safely home, and with very little traffic (even on Christmas Sunday) we made it home in 3 hours to meet his two Aunts and a few cousins for pizza at our house. Within 15 minutes of walking in the door, we realized our water heater had been busted for who knows how long, and was leaking behind the drywall and into the garage (THANKFULLY, the garage, and not on the brand new floors). We called my uncle, and he is getting a new one installed today - very quick plumber!

As the festivities last night came to a close, we were given a few more hugs and his Aunts returned to their homes for a few hours of sleep before the work week began. After showering down the street and finally getting into my cozy bed, Josiah and I were asleep very quickly and soundly after 5 days of festivities and visiting.

We are truly blessed with such loving family, and close-by friendships. Austin and I are also extremely thankful that everyone has already made it home safely (except Jana, who flys out tonight). Peace be with you all and your families too during this holiday season!

Spilled Apples

2010-12-10T10:37:00.000-07:00

Read the whole way through - it's worth it!

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their families that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner.

In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of baskets of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding. All but one. He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved goodbye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did.

The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping, and no one to care for her plight. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them into the baskets, and helped set the display up once more. As he did this, he
noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $20 for the damage we did. Are you okay?"

She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister..." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"

Do people mistake you for Jesus?

That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

Let us live like we are worth the price He paid. Think about it.

~Author unknown

Good Morning World

2010-12-07T07:28:00.002-07:00

Well, we are now 22 weeks along with Josiah. Most days are pretty good. Still not very hungry. Sunday was very rough, I woke up very dizzy, and after it calmed some we decided to go to church. I made until the invitation song when the dizziness kicked back into high gear, and I nearly knocked over one of our elders trying to make it to the bathroom - poor Foy! Good thing he's a sturdy gentleman.

Austin and I spent Saturday together playing games, sleeping in, making meals and just enjoying each other's company with no obligations. It was nice to be able to do because in a few more months, it will be years before that's possible again :)

Currently, I am about to get ready for work, which is keeping be very busy lately. I am so blessed to still be able to work while pregnant. This job and the people I work for are highly understanding and very cooperative. And although I will miss the schedule when I am out for a few weeks in the Spring, I am looking forward to staring at our new baby boy at home.

Special thanks to Kathryn and my mom who have helped increase my maternity wear most recently!

New Recipe & a Little Baby Info

2010-11-06T09:56:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I threw some stuff together in a crockpot, and it was really good, so I thought I would share it!

In the bottom of a 6 qt crockpot place 3 sliced potatoes. Cover with 1/2 C water & chicken boullion or 1/2 C chicken broth. Throw on some diced onion (2 handfuls). Then add garlic salt. Place a full 5lb chicken on top. Add 1 bag of frozen broc around the chicken. Add 1 can diced mushrooms (with liquid). Add 1/2 stick butter. Rub paprika all over the top of the chicken. Cook 5 - 6 hours on high. YUM! And easy cleanup. I can't say how many it would feed, because it was just Austin and I, but probably 4 with a lot of chicken left over.

Ok, baby stuff. Today I am 18 weeks. So I am starting to feel better during the day. I still am not sleeping well, but I'll trade that for throwing up! Our next sonogram is Nov 23rd. Assuming it's positioned correctly, we should find out the sex. YAY! I have had two dreams that the Dr told me it was a boy. Since we want to have several children, and re-use everything, we are doing most things in yellow, green, and brown along with the Noah's Ark theme.

I am getting hungry occasionally, but it's still difficult to eat very much, and I can't move a lot after I eat or the nausea comes back. As of today, I haven't gained back any of the 15 pounds I lost, but with the amount of leftover halloween candy in my house, it shouldn't take long.

Thanks to everyone who keeps calling, texting and emailing to see how we are doing! I feel so loved every time it happens. Ok, tummy is growling now, and I have seriously waited too long to feed this kid this morning, so I must head to the kitchen. Loves to ALL!

A Week Without Puke

2010-10-29T19:19:00.002-06:00

So if I make it through tonight I will have made it a full week without puking. However, I have still been nauseas and wishing I could eat a full meal. Extreme exhaustion has set in the last couple of weeks and yet I have a limit on how much sleep I can get thanks to needing to pee all of the time.

Everyone's support has been genuine and highly appreciated! We should find out the sex with our next sonogram in about a month (right before Thanksgiving). We are looking forward to our moms coming up in a couple of weeks to go baby shopping.

You Asked for It, so You're Getting It

2010-10-17T13:51:00.003-06:00

After 5 years of marriage, tons of pressuring and a few uninhibited nights, Austin and I are expecting our first baby :) Since most of you know as we announced it last weekend to the family and this weekend to the church, I can now put the full story online. You see, when a man and a woman love each other...... I guess you don't need those details.

On Aug 10th, I got very ill to my stomach. For the next ten days it was a grueling process of trying not to throw up, and not wanting to eat anything. I lost about 5 pounds and was very excited about that. On August 20th at 5:15am I woke up (to pee) and decided I would take a pregnancy test to prove to everyone I'm not pregnant and then head to Walgreens for some very powerful drugs to help my constant nausea. At 5:30am, for the first time ever, the EPT stick showed two blue lines instead of just one! I thought I was seeing things, so I grabbed the box to make sure I was correct and then turned the bathroom lights on. At the sight of the lights coming on, Austin woke up and asked what was ging on. Leaning against the doorframe, shaking slightly, I told him amidst tears and laughter that we were pregnant. He hopped out of bed and asked "Are you sure?"

Once I had him convinced, he started crying as well and we got back in bed and just stared at the ceiling. We talked and cuddled for about and hour and then decided to go to breakfast, so we headed to Mimis.

I have been very sick for several weeks, and want to apologize for parties, gatherings, emails, and other interactions we have missed over the last 2 months. As of today I am feeling better, and haven't wanted to throw up - yet.

One by one, we told our parents and other family members. With lots of shock and excitement, everyone is now in the loop! As of this morning, it was announced to our church as well. We have tons of support from all over the area, and are very blessed with family, friends, prayers, money, advice, food and gifts. Thanks to ALL!!!!

Here are the answers to all of the main questions we keep getting:
-We are due April 9th, 2011
-I am 15 weeks along
-We WILL find out the sex of the baby, but not until early December
-We do have names picked out, although they may change in the next 6 months. SaraBeth and Thomas Josiah
-There will be an Abilene baby shower (for ACU friends, and family, and whoever else) on Saturday, Feb 5th, 2011 (then a superbowl party on Sun)
-The church baby shower will probably be later that month as well
-Our next sonogram is tomorrow, so be on the lookout for an updated pic

I think that covers everything. I will try to keep main stages up to date for you. If you have any questions, or just want to check in, feel free to call/text/email/fb either of us at any time. We are overjoyed, and know that those of you who have been waiting (and some who have been praying) for us to get pregnant may actually be more excited than we are.

Love to all,
Austin and Tiffany

Stop! And cherish the roses.

2010-06-22T20:13:00.004-06:00

Today is June 22, 2010 and it seems like only a few days ago I was in Abilene celebrating with friends and family for the new year. The older I get, the faster the weeks go by, and the faster go by, the less time I seem to make for those things really important in this life: spreading the gospel, studying the Word, sending thank you cards to those who give constantly, building up the character and self-esteem of those around me, soaking up the precious moments with family, enjoying the gorgeous outdoors we are given and counting all of my blessings.

We have been blessed with SOOOO much, I can't even count it all. I will need to remember these days to look upon when life isn't so nice down the road. But my attitude is what must carry me through those pleasant or difficult situations, nothing else. So I challenge you this week to do one of the following:

1) Send a thank you card to someone that does good or constantly has a great attitude
2) Memorize a Bible verse, and put it on your computer screen at work
3) Dig out an old picture from that box in the closet, scan it in and send a copy to anyone who would cherish it
4) Smile while you are driving
5) Ask a friend you haven't spoken to in months/years to lunch
6) Pick your spouse up from work with a picnic basket ready to go to the park
7) Tell all the students in your classes to sign a piece of paper/posterboard so you have their autograph when they become famous, and tell them why you think they will be famous (going to jail doesn't count)
8) Bring bagels/donuts into work & tell your co-workers, in order to get one, they have to tell you one good thins that happened yesterday
9) Call/email your in-laws and tell them you are thinking about them and are proud of what their son/daughter has become
10) And if you're really wanting to have a memorable week, try to do all of these things!

Busy Busy

2010-03-16T19:28:00.002-06:00

Yes, it's that time of year again, to write on my blog. We have sooo much going on around us, that I figured I should list everything out, so you can schedule a time to plan to see us if you'd like! We'd love to see you all!! July and August are mostly open right now.

Starting from last month
2/28 - K-11 Day in the Park
3/06 - Julia's Baby Shower
3/06 - Birthday Party
3/06 - Randy Travis Concert
3/07 - Lunch with Briggs
3/08 - Ladies' Bible Class
3/13 - Autumn's Baby Shower
3/13 - Toph & Marnie's Engagement Party
3/15 - Come back from Abilene
3/17 - Going to see Grumpy and Aunt Melissa in McKinney
3/18 - Get Together at Hawthorne's
3/19 - Ladies' Slumber Party in Arlington
3/20 - Austin's Men's Meeting
3/20 - Afternoon bbq with Friends
3/22 - Couple's Bible Class
3/27 - Teen/20's Bible Class
3/27 - Josh Turner Concert
4/11 - K-11 Party at our house
4/12 - Ladies' Bible Class
4/19 - Couple's bible Class
4/23 - Ladies' Retreat to Weatherford
4/24 - Mom's 30 yr Reunion in Big D
5/08 - Marnie's Graduation
5/08 - Mother's Day Weekend in Abilene
5/09 - Melissa's Baby Shower
5/10 - Ladies' Bible Class
5/14 -5/21 Jana's in Abilene
5/17 - Autumn's Due
6/13 - Marnie's Wedding Shower
6/18 - 6/21 Crow Reunion in Arkansas
6/26 - Marnie's Lingerie Shower
7/21 - 7/25 Tucson for Toph's Wedding
8/12 - Austin's B-Day
9/18 - Ed's Wedding

Other tentative plans: Fangio Reunion, West Allen Camping Trip, Vegas with the Girls

Checking In

2010-02-02T22:11:00.003-07:00

Happy Groundhog Day to ALL!!! We had a very small, but memorable turnout for our 3rd annual groundhog day celebration on Saturday. I got the camera out, but forgot (as usual) to take pictures. This Sunday is the superbowl, so it's pizza and junk food for those that would like to participate.

I guess the most important update is that my eldest little brother purposed to the love of his life 10 days ago!!! With a July 2010 wedding, it has been a whirlwind for those two, but we send them all the best :) I'm excited because I will now (in a round-about way) be related to some very dear friends of mine!

For those of you wondering (which seems to be everyone lately) I am not pregnant, and we are not trying! But keep your chins up, maybe one of these days, I'll have some better news.

Have a wonderful February!

colon, shift 9

2009-11-29T07:50:00.002-07:00

It's that time of year again, turkey dinners, lights on rooftops, endless parties, and the inevitable sinus infection. Austin had one several weeks ago and took a 10 day antibiotic pack. Apparently, since he's still coughing stuff up 2 weeks later, he may still be contagious, because I am missing church this morning. Which I hate, because he has opening prayer for the church, and I am always moved when I hear him pray.

Due to the number of wadded kleenex next to my bed, already by 9am, I think this might be a long day!

"I've just had an apostrophe!" ~Hook

2009-06-22T23:30:00.004-06:00

So i had a horrible epiphany the other night. I am a nerd. Plain and simple. I was watching Big Bang Theory and as I started to realize how much I love that show, I also started to realize how much of it I understood (not all of it, let's don't get stupid - 3.0 gpa here).

At that point I started to think back on my schooling days and came to the conclusion I have always been a nerd, but tried to ignore it. I hung out with the smart kids and outcasts (nerds) in elementary school, and in middle and high school I was with the brainiac Christians. This horrifying shock made me realize that I have been hiding and running away from my true self for many years. At a young age I loved Rummicub and Gin Rummy, in college I learned how to play MTG "for my boyfriend," but I enjoyed it too. Chris taught me how to play Rollercoaster Tycoon one afternoon, and 5 hours went by in a flash. And now I am addicted to Settlers! I'm pretty much a sucker for any game where it's require to manipulate the board.

To all of the nerds out there, I am sorry I tried to be "cool" or "popular" by not giving into my true self. Who knows where life would have taken me if I had cared about grades or played WOW or DND (neither of which I had heard of before I was 18, I might add). So here I am announcing to the world, that I am going to start giving into the nerd-nature within me :-0

New Blessings in Our Life

2009-04-12T21:20:00.002-06:00

No, I'm not pregnant! I want to say thank you for many gifts God has given recently. One of which is our new church home. There are so many special people there, and we are very excited to watch them grow earthly and spiritually over the next few years. Some of you may know that I grew up in the church, but I was never in one church longer than a year. So I am not used to the wonderful benefits of a whole new set of friends. We have meals together, play games, keep each other accountable at church, and are learning about all of their spiritual journeys. Every one of us have come to Christ, and all of our paths are currently crossing, but it took years for each of us to get to this point in life.

Things I am thankful for on this Easter Sunday:

My Lord

My Husband

My Family

My Church Family

My Friends

My Work

My Home

Short Thanks

2009-03-29T21:31:00.003-06:00

I just wanted to say "thank you" for all of the cards and presents for my birthday! It was lovely! And if you're interested I received lunch, a picture frame, clothes, sheets and an iron-I'm now old! Also, Austin took me to see the King Tut exhibit in Dallas, and it was nice getting to spend the day with him :) There are no real pictures as you can't take photos of any kind in the museum, and there are people everywhere to make sure of it! Oh well!

Anyway, thanks again! On with another year.....

Making Changes

2009-01-27T22:29:00.002-07:00

So every January first we hear the same things, "I'm going to lose 20 ponds," "I'm going to stop cussing/smoking/drinking/playing WOW/etc," "I'm going to church more," "I will have a nest egg by the end of the year." But do any of these ever happen after January thirtieth? Maybe the reason we can't keep these up is stress, or hectic lifestyles, kids, boredom, or maybe because we can't make these huge changes alone.

Here is what Austin and I have started, and maybe you all can help us keep this up, as a buddy system! First off, we are broke, and have stopped eating out - currently, we have eaten out twice in over two weeks. (Once a week is considerably better than what we were doing, and both of these were for other people coming into town.) Next we joined the nearby rec center, and have started walking/lifting weights/playing racquetball or something athletic about three times per week. Lastly, Austin has a new mindset that we sleep TOO MUCH! He wants to ween himself off sleep and do more with his awake time - no disagreement here. So this week we have instated a new regimen: from 10-11:30pm we will have read/study time together. This has three main, and huge, benefits:

1) Spending time together

2) Studying to better our selves spiritually

3) Makes Austin stay up later than 9

We are very excited to keep this up not only for our physical health, but for our spiritual growth, better efficiency at work, deeper relationship with each other, getting in a routine before we talk about kids, and about 1000 other things. Here's my call to you: do the same - publish what your goals are; also - support us in any way you can, whether that be eating at houses instead of starbucks, encouraging us to continue our education, building up Austin's confidence for working out, or simply wanting to hang out with a more positive attitude.

Let me know what you will try to do for the next eleven months, and what I can do to help you succeed in 2009!

Christmas List to Santa

2008-12-06T09:18:00.003-07:00

For another year I keep hearing the question, "What do you want for Christmas?" But this year we bought a house, a car, went to California, visited Austin's family in Pennsylvania, went tubing in Austin, saw several concerts, along with a host of other things. So I feel guilty trying to think of more things I want when we have been soooo blessed! So I have decided to come up with a list on-line, that way you can look it over if you were going to get me something. Please don't think this is a list for everyone to have to get me something for Christmas, but if you were planning to anyway, here it is. Oh! And this doesn't count for Austin, he has to be thoughtful and get something different ;)

Small Curlers
Hairspray the movie
House Greenery
Swing CDs
King Flannel or T-shirt cotton sheets (we only have one set of King sheets right now)
Dining Table Cover for a 10 seater
Clip-on Earrings-dangly
Bedside Trashcan
6 pk of ankle socks

Hmmm, well I guess I'll add more as I think of some stuff.

Upcoming Travels

2008-11-01T22:29:00.002-06:00

Hey All! I just wanted to let you know where we will be for the next couple of months.

Nov 8-12 we will be in PA to visit Austin's g-ma before she passes
Nov 23 we will be at the Cowboy's/49ers game
Nov 27 we are hosting Thanksgiving for the family at our new house
Dec 13-21 we will be in Hawaii
X-mas we will be local, may have a little "post xmas" party for K11 Dallas

Please feel free to call or email us to set up times so we may see all of you during the holidays too!!!

NEW HOUSE!

2008-09-19T15:36:00.022-06:00

Well, I still haven't taken any formal pic since we moved in, but here are some from Thanksgiving, this should give you an idea of what it looks like!

Family Room overlooking backyard

Kitchen sort of clean....

Open Floorplan

Fireplace getting some use

Formals with two dining tables

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Pics 10/15/08 with a nicer camera-capturing the new flooring everywhere!

Family Room

Formal Living & Dining (new chandalier on floor!)

1st coat of Master Bath

Study has carpet!!! Still needs touchup, and one more piece of trim

Spare BR has Carpet too!!!

As of 10/14/2008.....
Master Bedroom is nearly complete, King matress will be in tomorrow.
All baseboards are in and calked!
Carpet for the other two bedrooms goes in tomorrow.

***Move Day is set for 10/18-please feel free to come help move furniture and hang out!****

Yeah-new furniture!

My hubby lost in thought!

Flooring went in 10/6-7/08 - ALMOST THERE!

Master Bedroom

Family Room

Formals

Painting 4" Baseboards for a newer finished look

Be careful! Get it smooth!

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

And as of 10/6/08....
We have pulled all of the carpet and padding out, finished one Br, nearly finished the master and the study. Flooring starts today, then all we have is kitchen and baths. Should be able to start moving in this weekend!

Picnic lunch after carpet tearing 10/5

Carpentry HELP!

Austin & Tyler measuring for molding

First Chair Rail goes on!

Carpet's gone and paint almost done in the study

Formal Dining in disarray

Loy tearing out carpet Sat night from the master

Chris & Austin trying to scare me!

Learning the trade

Miranda's a doll! She and laura knocked the master BR out in a couple hours!

Carrying the lighter molding...

chris, proudly displaying his carpet pad

Tyler showing off his mohak and crowbar tools

Formals - getting down to the concrete

Staining trim pieces in the garage

3
Secondary BR-almost done!

hmmmm, austin displaying his ability to accidentally spray his face with stain
(click on photo to get the full effect!)

"I know how to use this thing!"

Austin's new toy-a table saw

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

Okay, here are some "in-process" photos as of 10/1/08....

Fun times

Green acres

This is how we paint the wall, paint the wall, paint the wall.....

First primer coat over the blus room

Taking off the electric plates

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

9/19/08

Yes, that's right, we should be closing next week (keep your fingers crossed). If we do we will appreciate all of the help for painting, trim work, sanding, cleaning, moving, making sandwiches, or just helping us procrastinate ;)
I am uploading some current photos and will put up more as the updating process continues. Again, remember, these are "as is" pictures. But take a look, and say a prayer for us.
Thanks!

Spare Bath

1st Spare BR

Master bath - yes I know it's PINK!

Master BR

Formal Dining

Formal Living & Entry

Kitchen

Breakfast/Family Room

New Recipe

2008-09-06T18:32:00.003-06:00

Ok, anyone who knows me, knows I can't cook if does not come with instructions. Even with them, I can screw up frequently. But tonight I threw together a casserole with stuff in my fridge, and I thought I would share it with you.

Crow Chicken Casserole

3 Large Chicken Breasts - cooked & diced
1 Box Stove Top Stuffing (any flavor)
1/2 Bag of Frozen Spinach - cooked
1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
3/4 C Milk
1/3 C Chopped Onion
1/3 C Shredded Carrots
1/2 C Shredded Cheese

Cook chicken breasts in microwave, skillet, boil or oven, then chop into bite size pieces. While Chicken's cooking, put spinach on to a medium boil for about 5-7 minutes. Also follow box instructions for cooking the stove top. Put cooked chicken, cooked spinach, carrots, and onions into a large casserole dish. In a separate bowl, mix 1 can soup and milk together then pour on top of chicken and vegetables and mix together. Pour the stove top on top of the casserole and put in 300 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Take out and sprinkle shredded cheese on top. Put back in oven until cheese is all melted. Please be careful, it will be hot. Serves 6. Goes great with salad or other crunchy side! Enjoy!!

For those on LAWL:
Each Serving Counts As:
1 Protein
2 Starches
2 Veggies
1 Dairy

This Week = ????

2008-09-04T16:35:00.003-06:00

Hmmmm....what do I want to say? Although it will only be a 4 day work week, and I just had a fabulous weekend, and my boss is out of town, for some reason, none of these events are off-setting what an odd work week it has been. Too many dumb phonecalls, and even more stupid people on the other end. I am trying to keep myself busy, bu it seems everyone is living their life, and not responding to the needs of my office. I just wait and wait for the phone to ring, and when it finally does, it's not the person I was hoping for. One more item not done yet.

To top it off, we are wanting to move into a house, and need to close this month (if possible). I'm hoping we can submit an offer next week, an get closed before the end of the month. Too many "what ifs" have been floating around in my head about it, that it has been keeping me up almost every night this week.

School has started, and Austin's opportunity for the 08-09 school year has all but faded away. No jobs even on-line within a 1/2 hr drive. Granted, he is still working at the preschool, but the politics there are itching at him.

Last but not least, I have a Hawaii trip in 14 weeks! I am so excited, but now it's just adding to my stress for Austin and I to lose the weight, even though all I would like to do right now is eat chocolate. Not a good combination.

All of this to say, too much on my mind!

New Addition to K-11

2008-08-29T07:48:00.003-06:00

Well, I know we are a clique-ish group, but we have a new member, the smallest of us all (finally!). Nathan James Barcroft was born yesterday 8/28 at 3:22pm! He is adorable, and tiny! He was 19in 6 lbs 12 oz. I know many of you are coming in to see him over the weekend, and I look forward to seeing all of you! But for those who can't make it, I hope this reaches you fast. Pics from many cameras should be up by the weekend, so keep checking back for a close-up of our newest member!

***Mommy and baby are doing great! ***

Time for Change

2008-08-14T18:56:00.006-06:00

As most of you know, I am going on a family vacation to Oahu, Hawaii in December. This will be a week of staying up late, watching the sun come up, fresh fruit, boogie-boarding, para-sailing, touristy crap, hiking, spa days, and who knows what all else! Above all there will be tons of pictures and 10 of my closest family members. So this poses a problem with the 2 sizes I have gone up over the last year. We have started many diets to try and help this situation, but to no avail! So I have realized I need help because we leave in 17 weeks! My goal is minimal-only 15 pounds, but this is 11% of my current body weight!

Now my plan:

I am going to try and publicly announce (on the internet) what I have eaten for that day and what (if any) exercise took place. An on-line diet journal, if you will. Starting with today. I hope this will make me not eat certain things for fear of embarrassing myself to 5 billion people on-line. And maybe it will encourage you too, let me know what you're doing to lose weight! So here it goes:

Thursday 8/14 - Walked 1/2 hour
B: Yogart, L: 2 Slices of Meatlover's Pizza, 2 Pretzals, D: Sonic grilled cheese with cheese tots-this is a crappy way to start!!! Oh well, gotta start sometime-17 weeks to go!

Friday 8/15 - Slept In
L: Turkey sandwich with doritos, D: Pizza Inn-enough said!

Saturday 8/16 - None
L: Caesar salad, chicken parmesean & noodles and lemonade, and for D at a wine bar: cheese & cracker tray with fruit, chicken panini and sprite

Sunday 8/17 - None, again
L: Taco Salad, D: Chicken & Pasta, salad, 1 slice of pecan pie

Mon 8/18 - Nothing
B: Banana, L: ?, D: Salad, 2 rolls, popcorn shrimp, mashed potatoes, macaroni

Tues 8/19 - Nada
L: Leftover popcorn shrimp & chicken, D: Caesar salad, spaghetti & chicken parmesean

Wed 8/20 -Still no exercise
B: bacon egg sonic burrito, L: caesar salad & tomoto soup, D: steak, garlic potatoes, mixed veggies, 1 roll & 1 glass of white grape juice w/ sprite

Thur 8/21 - What do you think?
L: Salad bar at Jason's Snack: 6 pack of PB Crackers D: Chicken Fajitas and chips & queso and rice

WOW!!! This is a horrible 1st week. I have eatten restaurant food 10 meals this week!!! YIKES! Ok, this will make me do better next week. Please help me get skinnier before my Hawaii trip!

Birthdays in the Twenties

2008-08-12T19:56:00.002-06:00

As a child I never understood why adults could never remember their age. As a kiddo, you always knew - "I'm thwee!" But Austin turns 26 today, and all week I couldn't remember how old he was going to be or how old I was. Apparently after you turn 21 there is no age to look forward to, they are all the same. (Except men who turn 25 and get lower car insurance) So there is nothing to remember because you weren't anxious to turn that next number.

So here we are today now 24 and 26 and no memory of most of those days. But there is still a high requirement to out-do your last birthday, or throw the best for your friends. Am I the only one having this problem?

Vacation to Cali

2008-07-10T13:18:00.002-06:00

Well, I have been meaning to blog my trip to California last week, and now that I'm at home sick-I have time to do so!

I flew to El Paso on Saturday 6/28 and my cousin Danielle picked me up and we drove to see her folks in Phoenix. We went to a bar that night with my cousins after dinner with her fam at my favorite place-Carabbas. Then we got up and drove through the hot Nevada desert (116 degrees at one point) until we landed at her new residence in Aliso Viejo, CA. We spent the next several days shopping and unpacking as she only brought clothes. The couch arrived Wednesday as expected, but it was the wrong couch! Oh well. We celebrated all of our hard work by going to TGIFs for dinner and drinks.

We didn't get into bed until nearly 3am, then I had to wake up early to pick up Austin from the Orange County airport at 8:30am Thursday. We went straight to the beach to walk along the sand together!!!! It was beautiful! Then we headed back to Danielle's so he could see all of our hard work, grabbed our swim trunks and headed back out to a different beach for some all day fun! Since we were new to the area, we basically just stopped as soon as we saw signs for A beach. Unfortunately there were 10 flights of stairs to get down to the water-this wasn't so bad until we had to walk back up!!!!!

So after playing all day at the beach in the water and running along the sand, then up 10 flights, needless to say we were REALLY sore and sunburned until Monday! But it was worth it!

The rest of the weekend was for Austin and me, as this was part of our 3rd year anniversary! We spent all day Friday watching comedy central and sleeping. Then, as our last night there, we went out and accidentally stumbled upon a Latino bar which had Salsa dancing-what a blast! I highly recommend this workout to anyone! We flew home Saturday afternoon, landing 10pm Texas time. I spent all day Sunday asleep!

It was wonderful, and beautiful!!!! I can't wait to do it again!

Cough Cough

2008-06-02T21:45:00.002-06:00

Well I am hopefully entering the final stage of allergy season-the coughing stage. The part where my body finally says three months is long enough and it's time to get rid of this gunk. However, this once again comes at an inopportune time-bedtime! It is 10:45pm, my husband is already asleep, and I am back on the couch (our headboard doesn't give any "sitting up" support) for the 20th time this season.

Answer me this: why do I sleep better, aka-more soundly, less bad dreams, do not notice a husband-when I am on a futon at my brother's? Can anyone explain why I wake up better on a smaller bed, without 600 thread count sheets, in a someone else's apt?

Please keep praying for me, as I am getting better, and stronger. I am starting to believe that this may be stressed induced. And at work my partner is on vacation this week, which gives me the office to myself for the first time. I know it will be just fine but it does add a little stress to my shoulders.

Thank you all for listening! And please feel free to let me know what you are stressing about too!

Proud

2008-05-14T20:54:00.002-06:00

It is official!!! We just received Austin's scores today and he passed his state exam to be certified to teach 4-8th grade math!!! Barely! But I am proud of him, and all of his studying has paid off-hopefully literally.

We are still looking for a home, but have put that on hold until Austin gets a teaching job in the area. He really likes the pre-school he is at, but will feel better with his own classroom.

We will be attending Ren Fair in Waxahachie Tx this Saturday, and would love to see all of you there!

That's all for now, as I think I am allergic to my couch and need to go.

Prayers

2008-04-17T10:54:00.003-06:00

As of last night, almost asleep, I thought maybe I could post our prayer list so that other people can pray for a few of our friends and make this bond stronger! Below is a list of recent prayer needs for the Crow's and their friends and family! Please feel free to add your prayer requests to this list, and let us pray for you too! :)

1. Austin's math exam this Sat & his job situation
2. Kara and her baby boy
3. Marcie and her baby girl
4. Loraine's interview today
5. I'm home sick with a sinus infection
6. Autumn and the Lemmon's are both driving into DFW this weekend
7. My mother had eye surgery this morning, and will have the other eye done in a few more weeks
8. My dad's move to the metroplex in July
9. My aunt & uncle's job situation
10. Becca and the girls

Please let me know what your needs are!

Birthday Wish

2008-03-26T21:22:00.002-06:00

I wanted to thank all of you who wished me a happy birthday today! I just wanted you to know-it came true! I did have a wonderful birthday! I still went to work, but was very productive and my hubby took me out to dinner. I had a fabulous spa day on Friday, and the prior weekend was a surprise birthday party!

I am now 24. Wow. Mid 20's-officially. Hmmmm, what do I have to show for it? Some amazing friends, supporting family (no babies yet), a little extra weight, and the best husband in the world. I have a steady job, an (unclean) apartment, two vehicles, and a little money for a down payment on a future house. My husband and I have also found a church we both really like-the first one!

I miss you all, and I also miss my dancing, but on the other hand, we have the internet, thanks again to all who keep in touch with us via internet and phone!

Holidays are Over

2008-01-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

Well holidays have passed and now it's time to put New Year's Resolutions into motion! So right now I'm eatting my organic lean cuisine with spinah lettuce & organic ranch dressing. My co-worker brought in Sonic-that's harsh! Our second resolution is to be in our first home by our 3rd anniversary this summer-we are very excited about this one!!!! To get this done, we are budgeting pretty tightly, and trying to spend as little as possible. So if we don't make it around to see you as often-that's why! Please feel free to still come see us though! We'd love the company.

For those who don't know, we went to Carlsbad for Christmas weekend, but were back by Christmas morning in Plano, and spent it together. I spent it mostly sleeping! I was exhausted! For New Year's we were just bums. We watched Singing in the Rain at home and stayed up just long enough to watch the ball drop. Very little alcohol, and the last night of pizza before we went on our health kick. I have also disposed of most of the Chrsitmas goodies. Merry Christmas to all those I haven't spoke with recently, and I hope you had a safe trip home!

PS-If you'd like to donate to our new home savings fund, please email me at crowprints@gmail.com ;)

Sickness Sux

2007-11-25T09:22:00.000-07:00

My husband decided to bring home a disease called Conjunctivitus. Also known as pink eye! Gross! This is the fourth time I have had it since I was married. I knew I would have more diseases marrying an elementary teacher, but pink eye knocks me out of Church, work, and play. I feel okay-no fever yet-but I have to stay house ridden so I don't get loads of people infected by the highly contagious pink eye. So please stay away, but feel free to call me while I'm home.

PS I'm fighting not getting a sinus infection as well~~~~Yay!

Stupid Questions

2007-11-07T09:40:00.000-07:00

This answers that age old teacher's remark: "there's no such thing as a stupid question."

I love my husband more than anything, and if you read previous posts, you know that. But occassionally we all have Bill Engvall moments. My husband's happened last night.

We went to the post office together to get the mail, and I had an unexpected letter telling me I had a package at the post office. We are expecting a washer and dryer to be shipped to hte house from Sears. Putting two & two together he asks, "Did we already get the washer and dryer? Is it at the post office?"

Weekend Plans

2007-10-28T21:19:00.000-06:00

Well, I know you have all been waiting for this: what we did this weekend!
I took my husband to the Pat Green/Willie Nelson concert!!! Woo-Hoo! We aren't sure how much longer Willie will be around, but we got to see the legend from row WW ( barely under the roof-thank goodness it didn't rain). But before this we went to play lazer tag and putt-putt and play in the arcade. I won the jackpot a couple of times on the colorful light game. So with almost 700 tickets, we got a bunch of junk: tiny deck of cards, slinky-awesome, bball hoop, and some candy, of course. Today we had lunch with some friends in Arlington.

Next weekend we will be going to Buddy's Big Band and then staying home-to rest. It will be the first weekend in six weeks for us to stay in our own town-so I am really looking forward to it! A little rest a month keeps the doctor away.

Thanks to everyone who knew about this weekend and didn't tell my husband because he was sooo surprised.

Weekend

2007-10-25T20:41:00.000-06:00

Stay tuned to see what amazing date plans I have in store for my hubby....! Can't post yet, because he doesn't know yet ;)

PMS Sucks the Life Out of Everyone.....

2007-10-18T17:01:00.000-06:00

It doesn't matter what happens but when I'm PMSing life seems to slip by slower and harsher. Everyone annoys you with no reason for it. All of your actions are uncalled for and approaching evil. I hope I'm not the only one who stresses with this, and I want to apologize now for all of the people I have lashed out at in the past or will make cry in the future. Maybe it's what I would say if I was brave enough and had no moral ground, but it's still uncalled for. I'm sorry to everyone in the past, and anyone I run into this week!

Is 10 hours enough?

2007-10-16T22:01:00.000-06:00

After another eventful weekend and a long drive home Sunday night/Monday morning-I was beat. But I made it to work, picked up my hubby, came home, made dinner, then crashed. Come to find out I was asleep before 9pm!!! Woohoo. The alarm didn't go off today until 7am-a full 10 hours of sleep, how rare, but yet is it enough? I worked today, came home, made dinner, lost terribly in tennis, watched a movie and am now writing on my blog at 11pm. I am tired, but I guess hours of sleep is what my body needed. So my advice to everyone is this: go to bed super early tonight and get a full 10+ hours of sleep, you never know it might just be what keeps you going the "rest" of the week!

Speaking of the rest of the week, it's homecoming this weekend, and we WILL be in town, especially to see the following cool people who will be there: Jenny F. Brittany J. & Krystal S. Some beautiful, marvelous ladies. If you would like to be on our itinerary of people to hang out with, please don't hesitate to call. This will be our "cool friends" trip, and we'd be much obliged to see as many as possible!

The Sweetest Man

2007-10-10T21:55:00.000-06:00

Everybody knows how much I love my husband and how much I adore him, but here are just 10 of the thousand reasons why he is soooooo special to me!

1. Monday he had a random two hour lunch, and just showed up at my office unannounced to surprise me and say hi

2. Last night I was doing dishes and he turned off the light and the running water, and made me dance with him in the kitchen

3. 95% of the time he fills up my car with gas so I don't have to

4. I'm not a morning person, so he gets up before me to turn on the shower and makes sure it's hot before I get in, then while I'm getting ready-he makes us a little breakfast

5. Tonight he called when he got off work to ask if he could take his little girl to church (Wed night service) altho he didn't know I had planned a special dinner for us b/c I forgot we had church

6. When I'm cramping in the middle of the night, ready to shoot myself, he will get out of bed and warm up my heating bear in the microwave, and then put his hand on my stomach while he goes back to sleep

7. Without me asking, I was at work and he nailed all of the rest of our pictures on the wall decoratively, as soon as I saw it I cried-happy tears as that was so thoughful

8. One day I called him and said "I bought a couch" and before I could get off work, he had picked it up and brought it home

9. He is always patient with my radical mood swings, which I appreciate later when I become sane again

10. He helps me find my shoes around the apartment when I'm late and they aren't in the closet

Gentlemen, these are very simple tasks that can be performed that will make your lady smile, and be at ease knowing her man loves taking care of her. An believe me, if she's a good woman, she will take care of you in return. All of these items have been done in the last few weeks, so I'm here to say that women WILL remember every little thing you do-good and bad.

TV Time

2007-09-27T21:00:00.000-06:00

Is it just me or has Television taken over this country? I heard a recent statistic that the average home has more televisions in it than people! How is this possible? This used to be a luxury not a requirement to out do the Jones' with the largest one, or the most in one home. It is becoming an epidemic. There was a commercial for tivo or something, asking "are you scheduling your life around the TV?" Who does that? But now I know since it's "premiere week." Although there are a few shows that I will stop what I'm doing to watch, then I realize an hour of my brain has been taken away and part of my youth has been stolen by the satan - TV.
Don't get me wrong, I love Fraisier, CSI, Leno (Headlines!), Rules of Engagement, and such, but really-who has time to stop and tivo or tape a show just to watch it later?

Then again, I guess if you have that kind of time, you're reading this blog ;)

Ok-everyone who reads this, count how many TVs are in your home, and how many people live there. Sadly, we have one in the living room, a tiny one in our bedroom, my roommate has one in her room, and technically we have one on craigslist that is in my storage on the back porch! If you count that one we have 4 TVs to 3 peeps. EEEEEK-I guess it is true. How many are in yours?

All Set Up

2007-09-22T14:30:00.000-06:00

Well, we have finally moved into our new apartment a couple of weeks ago. I am working full time, and my husband starts his new job teaching at a preschool on Monday. We are very thankful to all who have been praying for his job search.

Some new things for us:
internet at home
2nd bedroom and bath!!!
jobs
roommate-she has a new job too!
dining table & hutch
BR furniture-woo hoo
tennis court right outside our back door
movie-Pippi Longstocking-for husband

Thanks for reading, and please leave some comments so I know people still look at this site-hehe

For those expecting us at Homecoming in Oct, we are not sure yet, but still considering it.

Job Change

2007-08-08T17:18:00.001-06:00

Well, today is my last day w/ my home builder, although I will be staying in the industry. Starting tomorrow, I will be working for a real estate agent in Allen, so let me know if you need your house listed or sold!
God is working miracles in our life, somehow we now have money in our account even though we have credit card debt (then again, who doesn't-this is America!). He is blessing us greatly, and we are loving it. We will be moving to a new apt next month, and a friend might be moving in with us until she can get on her feet-wow a roommate again. If anyone is feeling generous, or if God has blessed them too, and they would like to share and send us some money-I would not be opposed to that. Or if you decide, "hey wouldn't it be great if I could use my thousands of dollars for good? I'll pay off their credit cards" that would be fine too!! :)
For those of you reading this, it's my husband's birthday this weekend, and we will be in Abilene for his celebrations-so come help make it a joyful occassion with your presence/presents! hehehe

Job Profile

2007-05-15T17:46:00.000-06:00

For those of you keeping up with my life, I wanted to inform you that I just finished training for my new job. So now I need to sell a home to prove myself and show my sales ability. Anybody looking for a home in Plano, Allen, Frisco area???
I enjoy my job and get to meet many different people everyday. Today is my day off, and I am looking forward to go back in to the office tomorrow.

Also, Katy Rowan's wedding was May 5th, 2007 and I was the matron of honor. It was a fun adventure, and interesting to see life from the wedding side not as the bride. This also gave me practice for my cousin's wedding June 30th where I will also play the matron of honor.

If any of you are coming to Plano soon, please give me a call!!!

Prayers Answered

2007-03-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

Well, I wanted to thank all, if any, of you who have been praying for my husband and me because I finally landed my dream job. It will be hard and I won't see him too much, but it will be worth it for the money and we do not have kids yet, so we need to have some saved back. I will be selling new homes here in Plano, TX. I now have several weeks of extensive training, and then it's fight or flight-but I am so excited I can't contain myself. thank you all sooooo much!

Money or Life?

2007-03-02T15:04:00.000-07:00

Money or Life:
This is probably one of the most thought about questions. Do I choose something that makes me happy, or more money? Right now I have been on the internet for about 7 hours at a temp job that pays better than where I was yesterday. However, I had been at my last temp job for a month, knew everyone, could do most tasks required....I feel like I am waisting away on-line, but I'm getting paid for it. How do I keep myself busy and interested and fulfilled? If you have an answer for that I would love to hear it; and hope that you apply it to your life, then start a seminar somewhere.

"Be vewwwy vewwwy qwiet, we're hunting jobs..."

2007-01-19T11:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I have had interview on top of interview with no offers. I am temping today, but once a week will not pay any bills. I had two phone interviews, and two personal interviews with a real estate company, but they just left a message that they went with another candidate. Not too sad, we need the money, but I'm ready to do somehting I love getting up for in the mornings. I wish I could teach dance, that would be my ultimate dream. A dance counseling class. Body movement mixed with behavioral therapy. Hmmmm, I may be on to something there. Anyway, I am also waiting to hear back from another company for a position for which I had three interviews as a "Invoice processing coordinator/implementator" A.K.A. paper-pusher! I had a decent shot until they brought in my third interviewer-the computer guy. Whew! Anyone who knows me, knows computers are one of the few things I am terrible at. (I'm sure my brother is nodding with agreement right now.) So now, it's back to the drawing board or should I say the searching board.
My husband got a break, he is doing data entry for blockbuster as a temp job, but yesterday he went to the Frisco ISD substitute teacher orientation. They had dozens of long-term sub positions available, and he was one of a handful with a teaching certification. So we are very hopeful that next week he can start being in the classroom. So please keep us in your prayers for two main things 1) to find jobs that God needs us for, and 2) that I do not get pregnant in the next, ummm, 5 years.
Thank you for your help and support!!!!

Christmas out of town

2006-12-22T21:53:00.000-07:00

Well, for those who are constantly waiting to hear about the newest exclusive in my life here is another entry!!! yay!
My husband and I are in Abilene, TX for the next few hours until we leave for Carlsbad, NM tomorrow morning. Christmas time has always been with my family in Carlsbad, and I am very glad that the tradition has not been broken. I am very close to my grandparents, adn extended family as I grew up and was homeschooled around them.
To make this interactive, I am going to set up a poll to see who can guess what I will get for Christmas. NO CHEATING! If you are getting me something you cannot guess that as you will be disqualied:) Okay, let the tournament begin!!!!

Keeping Busy

2006-12-18T09:59:00.000-07:00

Hmmmm, I am currently temping at a software company in Richardson, Tx. They had me sort the mail, and trained me on the phones. Well, after 10 minutes the mail is done. Here is my question-what should I do for a few hours? Please reply with some ideas to keep me busy. Thanks to all in advance who reply!

News from the Road

2006-12-10T12:03:00.000-07:00

We are currently in Arkansas near the OK border and will be getting into Texas this evening. We will be staying with Daniel and Kara in Arlington, and then unpacking our Uhaul in Plano tomorrow morning. We will be happy for any help from those that might be in D/FW for Dead Day. We have currently driven more than 1000 miles in a Uhaul, and are very ready to take a couple days to move in to our little apt then look for employment.
I belive we will be in Abilene this Thursday the 14th to come and play. We expect everyone to call and come hang out!!!! We miss so many of you it's unbearable. For those of you graduating, I will be screaming for you with all my vocal ability. My phone number has not changed so PLEASE give us a ring to get together this weekend!!!!

From PA to TX

2006-11-27T14:28:00.000-07:00

For those of you I never call due to roaming charges I thought I would update as many people as possible at once on what a couple from Pennsylvania is doing.

Austin and I are returning to Texas!!! We will be moving into an apartment in Plano, TX, for a short three month lease until we find a house. Austin does not have a job as yet, but hopefully we can take care of that with the two weeks available before the D/FW schools let out for x-mas break. I am looking at becoming a leasing agent for an apartment complex, and we are both very excited to see lots of people we have missed. We will be moving in 12/11/06 and will need as much help as possible since I am a weakling. :)

Obviously we will be in Abilene for graduation and I hope to have some sort of "Swing" get-together too! I have only gone dancing once since we have left-it is very sad and I'm afraid I have forgotten most of it. Oh well-still brings a smile to me! With that said I hope to see every single person at graduation-please come so we can cry, laugh, and see as many people as possible. We should be in Abilene the 14th of December.

With love to all ACU and D/FW people,
Austin & Tiffany

Antibodies

2006-11-07T11:40:00.000-07:00

I am questioning my body. I have been sick with a sinus infection for a week. I have been getting this about 4 times a year now since college. Am I really getting a different virus every time? Don't I have an immunity built up yet? I am taking antibiotics now because my own body did not get rid of the infection fast enough. But they do not seem to be doing too much.
To be perfectly honest, I think "antibodies" sounds very negative toward our body and not toward the disease they are trying to kill. They should be called "antiviruses."

Difficult Situation

2006-10-04T12:48:00.000-06:00

How do I handle this?
My husband is laid off at his permanent job until one of his FBI clearences comes thru, and we do not know how long that will take. Until then I have him working for me. This Friday he should be getting a paycheck for $42, but apparently, when he worked for this company previously, he cashed his check, thought it was lost, then cashed the second check that was sent to him. So now he still owes this company more than $200 for the second check he shouldn't have cashed. We are counting on these paychecks for rent. My question to you is not, how do I pay for rent, we will pray and get by, no no no.....my question is this:
How do I tell my husband his check he is working very hard for, will not be coming as much as he thinks due to an incident 3 years ago? Any ideas? Please let me know, I am not looking forward to a very angry spouse this evening.

Entertainment Brings Life Lesson

2006-09-27T07:36:00.000-06:00

So....
Yesterday I left work around 1:30 to go to a concert 2 hours away. It was Chris Cagle and Trace Adkins!! Woohoo!! For those of you who do not listen to the same kind of music I do-they are country artists. Chris sings "Miss Me Baby" and "Laredo" and Trace Adkins sings "All I Can Do" and I hate this song but "Honky-Tonk Badonky-Donk." We left in the middle of Trace's concert due to the two hour drive home. We got back a little after midnight, with both of us having to be at work by 7:30 the next morning.
This has taught me a lesson I keep forgetting-I can't do that anymore! My body does not like it at all. Once you reach a certain age, or you just wear-out your energy back-up fuse - that's it - it never comes back. So this is just to inform you all to get plenty of sleep at night, and eat all your green vegetables.

Testing 1...2...3...

2006-09-25T14:20:00.000-06:00

I need to see what this is going to do. I'm trying to import my blog into my facebook.

2006

2006-09-25T07:16:00.000-06:00

Well a new year has pat and once again it's time to write down some info.

My husband and I are now living in SE Pennsylvania as of May '06. We are both working at different jobs, but enjoy them even when their stressful. We are trying to save enough money to build a house in a couple of years. We'll see how that goes.
We were just elected youth leaders for the youth group at our church. We are bery excited to be participating in that now. Especially with how young at heart we both still are. Adulthood will never come! (I hope)
Please let me know if you have any questions as to where friends are or what we are doing. Now that I have access to the internet more regularly, I should be able to keep this up for a few months.
Thanks for stopping by!

Back Again

2005-11-24T23:41:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been two months and I forgot all about this. I am rarely on the internet now. I work all the time and this is my first time off in a while. Happy Thanksgiving to all! Nothing very interesting happens in my life. Maybe that's what my blog should be about. How little excitement life sometimes has. Hmmmmm....sounds like an interesting angle, I think I'll use it. My next few blogs will be about regular life mishaps. Come back soon to see what will happen!!!

This is my first Blog

2005-10-01T22:36:00.000-06:00

I don't know what I'm doing so any help would be appreciated. Thank you for taking time to come to my site which is just getting started. It WILL be fun soon.