Monday Schmonday

As I have mentioned before...I'm trying to give thanks for busy times. Because I feel like I am not super busy with random things...They are things that hopefully can help me get through life! Monday we had an inservice and I (and everybody in the school district that has to figure out our new reading curriculum) was super stressed. Anxiety. Frustration. Overwhelming confusion. Yep, had it all. The last thing I wanted to do was to coach an 8th grade volleyball game. But, that's the job. So, went over and once I got around those girls and the game started I felt like all my stress was gone. Yeah, there was a different kind of "coaching" stress, but I just felt calm. And my girls played great! Didn't get the big W over EMS but doesn't matter, they played great!

After that, still needed to go to this "Wife Class" that I have been trucking to on Monday nights.

Our church puts on this class and actually my cousin, Abbi's mother-in-law, is leading it to a lot of us newlyweds or soon to be newlyweds:) It's been nice to just relax for an hour and half and talk about how hard it is in today's world to be a compassionate, Godly wife. Giving thoughts, sharing stories, and seeking advice. I love seeing my friend Megan come up from Ashland to partake in this class with me! We don't get to see each other super often so it's a nice to just catch up quick every week:) **Which we will get to see Megs this weekend because her and Adam are runnging the market to market...Saturday** Not only do I get to see Megs, but Erin Ehly...who on the other hand, I now see three times a week. Ha. Wife Class, bible study, and high school group. We are just lovinnnnn each other. And of course, it's also nice to get to know some other girls...We have only met 3 weeks but I feel like each week we are getting to know each other better and better (I know, duh Amy, that would make sense)!

So, anyways, after wife class I felt even more calm and thankful. I have been praying for God to help me enjoy the things I am doing daily. I had to keep saying little prayers throughout the inservice because my day just seemed so "dramatic and chaotic" ... I thought the more that I went through the day and the more things I "had" to attend the more stressed I would become...but, it was the complete opposite this week! So...praise God!

Sidenote: Bruce says hi. 

 

And here at the house we have been very optimistic because baseball playoffs are coming up soon! And the race is on...Cardinals are fighting for a playoff spot! The games have been close and let's just say there have been many "freak out jumping around high-fiving" going on...ahh..they are one game behind making playoffs...and will tie it if tonight goes in their favor! Pins and needles people...!! Pins and needles! 

Oh yeah...and I made these for a poker night we had the other night with the Hartfords and Youngs!

Got the ideas from pinterest. Here are the blogs: 

Cake Batter Blondies

Salty Sweet PB Caramel Fritos

I'm done now.

Village One

On Sunday our church did a service project serving what we call Village One. Village One Village is the community centered around 33rd & Franklin Street in North Omaha, the location of Compass Ministries. So a lot of people in at CCC went out and helped paint, mow, do constructions stuff, etc. Some peeps from our bible study went down for a few hours to contribute!  

Some of you may ask....What are we trying to accomplish in Village One? and I will get that straight from CCC's website:)
"Our big goal is to be a light for Jesus Christ in this neighborhood. As we impact the community over many years through a variety of different service-focused projects and initiatives, we believe that through the power of the Holy Spirit many will be driven into the arms of Jesus at Bridge Church." - Craig Walter, CCC Missions Pastor 

"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'" -Matthew 25:35-40

11th commandment- "Paint Thy Neighbors House" - quotes Adam....jokingly...obviously.

Books and pictures.

So, book club was on Wednesday and it was good and fun. Jen, Breezer, Kara, Kate, and I hung out and talked about inappropriate teacher outfits and Bri talked about inappropriate nursing experiences. Ha (cue girls: the buttons for guys talk)...The next book on the agenda, What Alice Forgot. Thanks Kara's mom for the recommendation! 

Summary for y'all: What would happen if you were visited by your younger self, and got a chance for a do-over? Alice Love is twenty-nine years old, madly in love with her husband, and pregnant with their first child. So imagine her surprise when, after a fall, she comes to on the floor of a gym (a gym! she HATES the gym!) and discovers that she's actually thirty-nine, has three children, and is in the midst of an acrimonious divorce. A knock on the head has misplaced ten years of her life, and Alice isn't sure she likes who she's become. It turns out, though, that forgetting might be the most memorable thing that has ever happened to Alice.

And just one more book that is the cutest book ever...for all you teachers, moms, oh, just anyone. I read it to my students and became the #1 fan.

In this original tale, Jack accidentally receives an invitation to the princess's birthday party. He resourcefully gathers ingredients and bakes a wonderful cake. On his way to the castle, the cake is slowly demolished by crows, a troll, a spooky forest, a dancing bear, and even a palace guard, until the only present Jack has to offer the princess is the story of the cake's demise. Of course, this gift pleases her much more than the boring rubies and tiaras brought by richer guests, and she declares that her new friend will have the honor of cutting the royal cake.

Also, quick. We started high school small groups last Sunday and Alex Ehly (he is just showing up in the blog left and right now, and you're welcome), gave the students the assignment of drawing their hs leader in like 3 minutes...and every student had to pitch in. This might just sum up this year. 

My group:

Adam's group:
 

Which brings me to a request. One of the students in Adam's small group, Trevor, got in a horrible car accident on Wednesday. He is going to make it but has a long road to recovery. Lots of surgeries, lots of pain and rehab I'm guessing:(  So, any prayers for him and his family would be much appreciated. Trevor is such a great kid. It's weird. Sunday he was up in front of everyone explaining what this fiasco of a picture meant and then a week later he is in the hostpital taking it day by day. Again, life is precious. Take time to draw near to God.

Sorry, this post was all over the place. I know you are just taking it all in;)

Taco Ride

I have heard lots about the "famous taco ride" that happens on Thursdays and have always wanted to try it. So, last Thursday our bible study group took a break from the study and some of us went out on the trails. You basically ride about an hour to this small restaurant in a small town that has tacos and ride an hour back, hence "taco ride".

 I'm not going to lie, this whole experience was not a "leisurely" ride for me. I think for the majority of bikers on the trail it totally is, including Adam. And it might get a little under my skin when he talks about "how easy" it was...hmm... try: I don't careeee! ;) Plus, I am superrrr out of shape at the moment and I've decided I can't get back into until volleyball is over. Smart, I know. I bet you are all jealous of my abundance of self-motivation/effort. These last two weeks I have been constantly tired with schedules and such. I actually need to stop feeling sorry for myself and just get over that life is busy. And now I bet you are all jealous of my ability to being a whiny baby. *Note: I see some personal goals that should probably be looked into. Un-note* Anyways, the ride was fun. Beautiful scenery on the way over! Pitch dark on the way back="wouldn't want to be riding alone" scary. Alex Ehly spitting out motivational quotes inspiring us as we trekked across our voyage through parts of Iowa. It may be something we can try again come spring. I don't bike in the super cold and snow.

The Hunger Games

So...this is kinda old news...and new news. If you haven't heard of The Hunger Games series you need to check into it stat. Awesome books. I remember when I read them last spring I did nothing for a couple days. I came home from school, didn't watch tv, didn't workout, hardly talked to Adam, I just read. The trailer is coming out in March. And I know that's far away, but I just thought of it because we have book club tomorrow and I was thinking about books in general. Okay, so here is the minute trailer. Check it...but if you are looking for a book to read...this is it! It didn't seem like "my kind" of book...I mean, 24 teens killing each other in an arena until only one survived doesn't sound whimsical and inspiring...but it's good, promise...Quick summary:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games....dun dun duuuunnnn...

9.16.11

Yesterday was a weird day. Adam and I both agreed. and his birthday just happened to be on it. The weather was dreary and dark and cold. I had an inservice and was just like Blah the whole day. And it was Adam's last day at Swanson. He's company had a golf outing, aka Hackfest, but couldn't go because his department had a lot of work to get done. So, half the people were there, half gone, last day akwardness, etc, etc, etc. 

Luckily, that night we decided to spice it up for Adam's birthday. We went to Kobe steakhouse to be entertained with the fam. Adam's parents, Thomas, Kim, grandma, and aunt came along. My parents and Miss Belle attended the special outing as well. We watched, we talked, and caught shrimp in our mouth. The food is so good there. uh huh. 

  

We came home, caught the 11th inning of the Cardinals game...which they won, seemed fitting since it was Adam's birthday, and then got a text. Some of Adam's high school boys asked he found something at our front door. He went out and looked and...Caleb, Nick, and Andy were serenading Adam with Happy Birthday...sitting down like that...weirdly. nice. haha...it was funny and good. They even baked him a cake. Impressive...for high school boys...that Adam just met last Sunday at the kickoff. So, that was fun. I think it will be a interesting year;)

 

That's the day. The big day. I have to admit, I did not get "best wife award"...These last couple of weeks have been the craziest week ever and I couldn't scrounge up the time to make something amazingly creative (it's super hard being married to a creative genius...I have to go hard or go home...and I couldn't go hard...so I went home...and luckily he lives with me here). 

My Birthday Babe!

So, Adam turns 27 today! Geezzz, that sounds old to me (my young, innocent 26 yr old self;)! I love him so much and am so lucky to have this guy in my life! He inspires me daily (even though usually I would never admit it to him-don't want that ego to get too big ya know). He puts up with a crazy schedule weekly without hardly any complaining and an impressive attitude! Adam has the biggest heart ever and truly cares for so many people...and wants them to know God (some of you might be surprised how much he prays for you)..;) This guy is such a fun and silly husband. I feel sooo lucky because I'm the one that gets to see his robot dance moves in the kitchen, his freak-out "run around the living room" moments when Albert hits a homerun, and his different "characters" he works on during long car rides...while still experiencing his truly, precious tears for people who are lost. This man is an amazing human being. And yes, I am bragging about him, because he never would. And that is what a wife is for, right?!... building her man up and letting him know how important he is, not only to her...but also, to so many other individuals. So, Happy Birthday Baby! 27 years! Beautiful. 

and here's to starting a new "season". 
Goodbye Swanson Russell :( 
Hello Christ Community :) 

End of Times

Serious post, I know. It goes from my brothers happy go-lucky wedding to the "end of times"...however, it's good to hear and think about once and awhile. Our church, CCC, is doing a series on the end of times called Future Shock. Supppper interesting. Here is the first one:

Future Shock

Still interested? Come to CCC for either 9am or 10:45am services! Weird, Scary Stuff. Stuff that's gonna happen sooner or later. 


To go along with that, I'm reading this book, Erasing Hell, by the Francis Chan (same author as Crazy Love)...Very interesting as well. Makes you put things in perspective. Hell is real. and it's not fun. Please be ready.

Alex & Ashley Tie the Knot

So 9.10.11 and the wedding is here! It was a GORGEOUS GORGEOUS day! The weather was perfect! Top ten day easy! Aw, and it was a beautiful service. Truly all about God while sitting in God's perfect creation. Ashley was stunning. Al was so "grown up". My little brother is now married and I am so happy! I finally have a sister! Something I really liked that the pastor said was about "promises". He suggested to not make another promise because the promise you are making when you get married is so real and you want it to mean everything. You don't want to go back on that promise-like you might with simple promises like "promising your kids they could get ice cream". I guess I have never thought of it like that and so I thought I would share with you! 


Relatives from all over were back and I got see my cousins! Yes yes yes! It was so great just to hang out with family and friends and celebrate.

There were just a couple of little things....like the party bus breaking down right in Waverly...so an hour waiting time for that...but it was all good. No worries. 

We had also left Bruce and home and our friend Amy G was going to come and let him out...well, our house is for sale and of course, the night of the rehearsal we find out we have people coming to look the next day (so a bit of a tense morning for good ol' Adam and I)...;) Anyways, the realtor shows our house. Fine. Whatever. Amy G comes and my key didn't work to get in the house. Now, I debating to tell Adam this because I knew he would FREAK OUT and dash home to go "save" Bruce. As he did when I told him. However, the relator had locked ALL the doors to our house...like the garage to the house and even the porch (which Adam climbed up and did try to get in) and he couldn't get in because Adam didn't have his key. Oh so dramatic. So, our realtor then had to come up from Ashland and unlock our doors for us...and let out Bruce-thanks Tim:) So...Adam was a little flustered shall we say when he returned. 

But The reception was super fun. Our second cousin Emily DJ'ed and she is AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING! and so cute! dancing and singing around. LOVE HER. So, here's some pics and happy day!

Cheers!

After the Cheers!