I know I just posted but this deserves its own post.

My brother Eric and his girlfriend fiance Jamie are engaged!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He asked her last night and, of course, she said YES!! I knew he was going to do it, but Jamie just called and gave me the details - apparently it was super romantic and involved Eric getting the attention of the entire restaurant and then getting down on one knee.

I had no idea my brother was so sweet. Just kidding! ;-)

Can't wait to see the rock! :-D

Congratulations Eric & Jamie! I'm so happy for you guys!!! I love you!!!

I swear my children will never act like THAT.

Yesterday we had a visit from this little stinker {& "Grammy" aka my mom's mom}:

he's known as Bubby and he's quite mischeivious!

If you know anything about my mother and her OCD cleanliness, having children in her house is enough to give her a nervous breakdown!

So I was curious how she would do after she spent the previous 24 hours cleaning only to have a 4 year old go behind her and wreck everything!

Needless to say we didn't spend a whole lot of time actually IN the house. We took Bubby shopping.

Taking Bubby shopping makes for very good birth control.

At one point he started running around in circles while Grammy was checking out at Kohl's. Neither Mom nor I could catch him. I finally caught him and sternly told him to knock it off.Of course didn't.

Instead he made a scene.

So we did what any logical adult would do: we ignored him while Grammy continued to check out.

He started climbing on the little security sensors by the front door of the store.

We hoped no one knew we were with a child who would act like that.

I guess the next time I see cute babies and start to want one, I might call up Grammy and ask to take Bubby out for the day.

He is cute though, and is also pretty good entertainment.

Captain Long Beard

A couple weeks ago my mom called me from work and said she had some really bad news.

The way she sounded, I thought someone had died or something.

Nope. Thankfully.

"Polly is moving!!!" she said.

Polly has been Tobey's groomer ever since he was born in 1998. She gave him his first hair cut, and has had him looking snazzy every 6-8 weeks for the last 10 years.

For the low price of $23.00, might I add.

Tobey hates getting brushed, let alone completely groomed, but Polly has always done such a marvelous job.

Then Mom called to get his next appointment, only to find that she is moving an hour away.

So we were on the search for a new groomer.

We ended up taking him to the groomer at his vet, the same place he had surgery at last month.

The only thing I was really concerned about was that she kept his beard long. A lot of people cut schnauzers' beards short and they don't look quite as good to me. I made sure she knew that, specifying several times to keep his beard LONG.

This is what he looked like when I picked him up:

SHe CHOPPED HIS BEARD OFF!!!!!!

AND charged us $49.00 to do so!!!

MY hair cuts don't even cost $49.00!

At least she gave him a bandana. I guess.

Look how long his beard was before:

I guess it's not as bad as it could be... but I still like it better long.

However, we may be on the search for a new groomer for next time...

Through the eyes of the BlackBerry

So....Beth asked me to post pictures of the kids I watch nowadays since my posts have been lacking cute baby pictures lately! It's kinda difficult since I don't see Madison & Savannah every day anymore and I haven't seen Emma, Abby, & Ian lately {except Tuesday but we didn't take any pictures!}

So I took a couple pictures of Mia today when I watched her. But I left my camera at home, but luckily the trusty BlackBerry has a camera...

So here she is blog world....Mia:

She is pretty cute! She's almost 4 months old.

She's a lot bigger now than when I first started watching her when she was 3 weeks old.

And she's like a different baby every time I see her since I only see her once a week.

Then I thought I would go ahead and upload the rest of the pictures that the BlackBerry has taken in the last 5 months since I got it....

In no particular order....

Me & Tobers in the car

Madison... I miss this baby!!

Me & Goley at somebody's wedding...I think Crystal's

My 2nd mom!

I think this was one of the first pictures the BB took

aww...Mckenzie!

My brother the Rakester.. hard at work. I think he looks sleepy.

Tobey in the car. I think this was in line at McDonald's for the 293473th time after the hurricane came to visit and took our electricity with it

Madison again. She's walking now and definitely doesn't need this walker!

Savannah playing outside. I think she was looking at an airplane...

me & Madison...she's so much bigger than this now! {this was in July}

pretty Tennessee sunset

this was a car Beth & I saw in some parking lot with ridiculously high rims. I apparently felt they needed to be photographed.

this was on mine & mom's drive home from the store the day the hurricane hit... this was when I first started to see trees down. little did I know this was only one of many all around the city

the drive home through the hurricane....corn flying EVERYWHERE. It was so weird!

and lastly...I am pretty sure I took this is as the "before" picture when I got my hair cut last spring.

So yes, the BB has seen some interesting things in its time.

Passing some time...

I should be pretty well-rested considering I went to bed at EIGHT THIRTY last night. Not even joking. Pretty sure I haven't gone to bed that early since I was like 2. I knew I was exhausted from being so busy lately, but really...8:30?! Oh well, I do feel better today.

On my agenda for today is finishing up my presentation. Technically it was "due" yesterday, but we are doing presentations all next week and the next, so I'm doing mine on Monday.

And I'm not even procrastinating right now, because I'm downloading Microsoft Office onto my computer. My trial version finally ran out after almost a year! At least I guess that's what it means when the program just doesn't let you do anything even though it opens.

Thankfully I can download it for free through school. Glad I didn't pay the extra $150 or whatever it was for it when I got my computer.

24% done.

So I just realized that I only have school next week, then the following Monday, then we're off for Thanksgiving, then the next week is finals. Isn't that crazy? I didn't realize we were already almost done! That's only like 3 more class periods before finals. At least I am pretty sure that's the schedule. Maybe we have another week after Thanksgiving before finals. That would make more sense. But who knows. I only have either 1 or 2 finals anyway :-D

Oh yeah - so I studied for a big test ALLLLLL weekend. I did the study guide and everything for the first time in this class. And guess who got a 99%?! Oh yes, that would be me! I was very excited... especially considering that's pretty much ALL I did ALL.WEEK.END. Phew.

35%. Come on.

Anyway...I was about ready to give up running due to the cold weather. But then Shelly made me weigh myself the other day and I realized I have actually lost some weight, so I guess I will keep at it. I was x-amount of weight in the spring/summer when I was exercising all the time. Then in September after not exercising for a month I was x-amount plus a little when they weighed me at the doctor. Now I am less than the original x-amount from summer.

It's okay if you didn't follow that. It's does eerily resemble a math equation.

What? you didn't expect me to actually post numbers, did you? Maybe I will after I lose like 10 more pounds.

50%.

Well, I am running out of things to ramble about... I guess I will go kill the other 50% by watching Full House.....

Some of those "God things"...

Well, I had this really good post thought up in my head, but tonight I am quite tired and ready to hit the hay already! Actually, I was ready an hour and a half ago, but that would have put me in bed at 7:30. Crazy! So, I will once again leave you with an abbreviated update... hey, at least it's something.

- Let's start with church. It was fun. I am definitely interested in checking it out again. It may take me several visits {& even perhaps several months} before I'll feel comfortable enough to get involved and/or join. But everyone I met was really nice and it seems like they have lots of opportunites for younger people since it's close to the Seminary, so a lot of students go there.

As I was driving there on Sunday I started thinking to myself, "Oh my gosh, what am I doing?! Going to a church I've never been to or really heard of, with a girl I met 4 days ago and only talked to for 45 minutes?! I must be out of my mind." But it was totally cool. It's one of those things I'd never think I could/would do - but usually those types of things turn out the best.

So far, it's going pretty good :)

- And scrapbooking!? I am totally loving it! LOVING.IT. And Archiver's and Hobby Lobby. Such fantastic stores. Also two of the main reasons I really need a job. I think I am relapsing into my old addiction. {scrapbooking!}

Another thing I am loving about scrapbooking is the fact that I have a whole room dedicated to nothing besides scrapbooking! {and mom's computer} But it's a WHOLE ROOM that I can leave messy and she doesn't even care! Awesome, right?

Here are some examples of stuff I've been working on. I'm almost done with the cruise scrapbook!: Snorkeling in Honduras

And just for Beth - a page of me sleeping!

- Another thing I am loving are these gas prices:

This was taken on November 8th... today, only 3 days later, gas is already down to $1.87! It kind of makes me nervous that the prices can drop so low, so fast, because it seems to me that the gas prices really can be controlled, but I won't complain - gas hasn't been this low since I started driving 6 years ago!

- And last but not least {well, maybe} - I am definitely loving the fact that school is almost done for the semester! I only have tomorrow, next week, then the next week is Thanksgiving, and then finals week! WOOHOO! And then I am off for almost 5 weeks! :)

But until then - I have a test tomorrow and a presentation on Monday, so I am going to bed!

Run down of the week.

I've been so busy lately - but I love it! I have so much to be thankful for! check out this awesome week:

• Had my 2nd job interview on Tuesday - I was super nervous, but apparently I didn't need to be. I LOVED it. Pray for me that I get this job... I loved it there and I really need it! :)

• New friends & perhaps a new church - a girl I met at my job interview invited me to church on Sunday. I'm really excited about it! The whole church searching process has been difficult and discouraging, but she LOVES her church, so I take that as a good sign and I'm excited to check it out this week!

• Had the 3rd, and I think final, part of my interview last night - a phone interview. It was kinda a weird process because they mixed me up and called "me" on the wrong night. But I think it's all worked out now, so I should know something early next week!

• Scrapbooking party!! Tonight. Here in about an hour. I love scrapbooking and now that I've gotten back into it I want to do it ALL the time! I want to get all caught up so I can scrapbook as I go like I used to. It's more fun that way...but I'm stuck in 2005. I think I'm going to finish the cruise scrapbook and then start with now. Then I'll do the past 3 years when I have free time just put the last 3 years in photo albums.

• And last but not least - our new President-elect. While I did not vote for Obama, I can appreciate witnessing and participating in such a historic election. I don't agree with pretty much any of his policies, and I'm still scared about the future of our country, but luckily, I know that the government, the economy, and Obama's policies are things of this world and my hope does not rest in them. God allowed Obama to be President and His plans are never wrong! :) So we'll see what happens, it should be interesting ;-)

I'm really excited about this time in my life. There was such a long period of time where it seemed like I couldn't find joy in even things that I once loved. But slowly and surely God is restoring those things in my life... and it's awesome! It's a slow process, and some days I feel like I'm going backwards, but over all...I am feeling so much better! I've also got such a wonderful peace about things... I don't worry as much. Perhaps because I know when I do worry, it does me no good and when I try to plan things out, they don't go as I plan anyway. So I'm ready to just take life as it comes...it's going pretty good this way!!

God will still be God

Don't forget to vote today!!!!

As the election finally draws to a close, I can't help but feel incredibly nervous about the direction of our country, as I know many other Americans, and probably even some of you feel. I have talked to and seen numerous people who have said this. That is one thing I have liked about all of this election stuff - it has given me the opportunity to meet so many different people, and to get actively involved in something that I am passionate about. I think as Americans it is not only our right and our privilege to vote, but it is our responsibility.

To me, as you have probably noticed, there is no doubt in my mind who is best qualified to lead this country for the next 4 years. I am nervous, I'm scared, I'm aggravated, and I'm anxious. I would love to see this country turn back to God and the principles it was founded on. I would love to have it led by a man who turns to God for guidance and wisdom and who leads by example.

I already voted today. Bright and early when the polls opened at 6am. And I am still nervous, and probably will be until tomorrow morning {I haven't decided yet if I can even watch the news tonight! I might have to just wait until morning...if I can sleep!}, but God has gently reminded me through various people, blogs, and other means, something that has greatly put this whole election thing in perspective for me: GOD will decide who becomes President of this country.

Romans 13:1 says, "Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." Therefore, God will decide. No one can become the President unless God says so. It's that simple. He has planned and known the outcome of this election since He created the world. So why should I worry about it?

Easier said than done, though.

1 Peter 2:13-14 says, "Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to govenors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right."

God knows what He is doing. And if Barack Obama wins tomorrow, it will not come as a surprise to God, it will have happened for a reason... a reason far bigger than I will be able to understand. I will be disappointed, and probably still scared, but God will still be God and I will trust Him because He doesn't make mistakes!

I just might move to Australia, though.

Just kidding!

Maybe.

GO VOTE!!!

And if you're still somehow unsure of who to vote for, pray about it before you go!

Walking in Memphis

Sunset on Mud Island

I'm so exhausted after my non-stop week last week! I'm used to having a pretty laid-back schedule, so going, going, going has kinda worn on me. I love it though! I'd rather be busy... it just makes me need little naps throughout the day :)

On Thursday afternoon after my job interview {I have a 2nd one tomorrow!!}, I left for Tennessee! I stopped in Jackson on the way and got to see a few good friends that I miss and even some of the precious kiddos that I really miss! It was so great to see Madison & Savannah - Madison is WALKING now and Savannah has really started talking. They are growing up so much!! I love them & miss them!

I also got to see Luke and Mckenzie - so cute! And I got to help Maureen {their mom} with a craft for Molly's class. I didn't get to see Jack and Molly though since they were at school. And yesterday was Luke's 1st birthday - he's getting so big too!!!

On Friday I headed on to Memphis to see Beth! It was basically just like I never even left - which is what I love about Tennessee! In honor of Halloween we went to see Saw V. It was pretty good. I actually understood what was going on through this one even though I personally didn't like the ending.

On Saturday we went to another, completely different movie - Fireproof with Kirk Cameron. SO GOOD and I'm not even married. I can imagine it is even better if you are married! I recommend all married people, or people getting married soon to go see it! Or even people who are single and want to get married some day, go see it now and then go see it again when you decide to get married.

We also went to a wedding - my 3rd Kappa Delta wedding of the year! It was fun! Plus I got to see some other people I hadn't seen in awhile and otherwise wouldn't have gotten to.

On Sunday I had to make the long trek home.... 6 hours!

But I got to see this lining the interstate the whole way so it was okay:

SO PRETTY.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Don't forget to VOTE tomorrow!!!

Road to Victory Rally with Sarah Palin!!

The rally was so much fun! I've never been to anything like it before and it was such an honor to get to help campaign for John McCain & Sarah Palin on Monday night and then get to attend the rally on Wednesday.

I always thought politics were boring until I turned 18 and could vote. Now I think it's incredibly important to exercise your right to vote and especially to be educated on WHO you are voting for - don't just vote based on their party!

Kristen came in town just for the rally! We are now planning to attend the Republican Convention in 4 years... can't wait!

Hot Momma was EXCITED!!!!!

on the chartered bus ride from the parking lot to the building

Hot Momma, me, and Kristen waiting for the rally to start... {we were there like 3 hours early!}

we watched this cute Secret Service guy for entertainment though. He was a cutie!

I got a "Let Joe keep his dough!" sign!!

And a Country First sign....:

And a pom-pom....

{& we were worried we wouldn't get anything!}

Look how close to the stage we were!!!!

we took our shoes off.... my boots were so hot! {Sarah didn't mind}

we saw none other than MR. HAWKINS!!! {he didn't see us though, we were just like the paparazzi... and we couldn't get his attention!}

Here comes Sarah...!!!

Hank Williams Jr. sang the National Anthem, during which I was the cool person who turned around while everyone else was looking at the American flag and singing, and I took pictures of Sarah and Todd.

But hey, I had to document the fact that Sarah {and Todd} put their hands over their hearts {and wear American flag pins!!} for the National Anthem while someone else {hint: Barack Obama} does not.

Just sayin'.

Sarah tellin' it like it is!

She was so nice and genuine

and funny

and pretty

and so TINY! we were all kind of amazed at how small she was

And Todd...well, he's quite the looker. Sarah's got herself a hott husband, we all agreed {as did probably every lady there....}

And he's such a supportive husband, he stands there and smiles the WHOLE time. You can tell he's just so proud.

and an hour later...they were leaving :(

They had to be in Missouri by 6 o'clock the next morning.

{not that we are stalkers...some of our friends went to that one...}

After Sarah sadly left, we did a little exploring and ended up....

at the PODIUM!

This was Sarah's view {only with a LOT more people!!!!}

us at the podium where she gave her speech

heading out

waiting for that dang bus

we got some new Sarah Palin pins!

how we felt after sitting on the bus for like an hour in traffic trying to get back to the car...

but really, we had an EXCELLENT time!!! LOVED IT.

For the rest of the pictures, go here or check out facebook!

GO MCCAIN/PALIN '08!!!!!!!!!!!