American Idol First Thoughts

Okay, just typed a long post about my thoughs on Season 8 of American Idol thus far and the dang blog messed up and deleted it. Let's see if I can remember what I wrote. First of all, very boring so far. Not enough crazies to make it as interesting as past seasons. Too many sob stories that I am just not interested in until later in the season when I've really gotten to know a character...like once they are in the top 12. Maybe I'm cold hearted but I just don't care at this point in the season. I don't want to vote on someone based on their blah blah story. I want to vote on them because of geniune talent. And on that note...too many mediocre singers were sent forward in my opinon. That would be fine except that there were some that were much better that they did not send forward. What's up with that. Really??? And Simon seems to have turned into a major softie this season. I hope he returns to what makes Simon, Simon once the season gets going. I like the 4th judge but am confused about what happens when they tie. It seems that when Simon is one of the 2 for, they move on but when he is one of the 2 agains, they don't. That's all I can figure, he's the deciding vote. I am really hoping the season improves tremendously because right now, I am not overly impressed.

Elizabeth Turns 1

My best friend's daughter turned 1 on January 20th and they had a party for her a few days before. Thought I would share some pictures. She is so cute...and expecting a new baby or sister in July.

Snow Day

It is interesting to me how my perspective of a snow day has changed since I was a kid. Snow days were cool no matter what when I was little. Now, I realize, it is a day that will eventually have to be made up. I dred them coming for that reason. Now, once they get here, I tend to enjoy them. I was a little more not wanting one this year. Every year, our 4th graders have swimming lessons for a week at an indoor pool that our district has. The kids love it and look forward to it every year. Well, this was our week and the kids were so disappointed when they found out you don't get to make up a day when you miss it. I'm sure they are enjoying their day at home though.

Now that we have the day off. I am enjoying it. Normally, when we get an extra day off, I see it as a gift from God to have an extra day to clean house or grade the stack of papers I brought home. Well, I cleaned house on Saturday so I don't need to do that. I brought one stack of papers home to grade but am pretty caught up on grading as it is the beginning of a nine weeks. I need to write those thank you cards to my kids for the lovely Christmas gifts they brought me and I have delayed too long already. I am even caught up on all my shows on DVR. Today is a day I can spend watching movies, playing on the computer and just reading. I'm so excited about those opportunities. If you were fortunate enough to have a snow day today, fix a cup of hot chocolate as I did and enjoy your day!!

Hmmm...I fixed up this blog and made it all cute and am starting to post more on it. Problem...noone really knows about it to look at it. What to do??? Maybe post on facebook. I think I will. So, for those of you that come from facebook to visit after I advertise...welcome!! :) Not a lot here right now but feel free to check back occasionally!! :)

New Ventures

This past fall, a parent at our school got me involved somewhat with a program at our church called One Parent + Kids that is a program for single parent families. The mother that got me started is the Single Parent director at our church. It was such a blessing to come in contact with her because I have always felt like you can't just go to church on Sundays and be done, you have to be involved and doing God's work as well. The church that I attend is wonderful but it is HUGE. I just didn't quite know how to plug myself in. Well, after talking to Jennifer in the fall, she had me come to the OP+K program. It was already about half way over so they just used me wherever they could on a given Tuesday night. I enjoyed it but wanted to do more and be more plugged in to it. I went to a training yesterday to help with the spring semester and found out I will be teaching the 3rd and 4th grade group along with two other adults. I am really excited about it and am prayerful that God will help me to form meaningful relationships with these children and to become a Christian support in their lives over the 6 weeks we are together. Through this, I have also met the girl that leads the single women's Bible study on Wednesday nights. I have not gone yet because they are in the middle of a study but they are starting a new one in 3 weeks or so. I am praying for the courage to be able to join a new group of Christian believers as we grow in our knowledge of God. I get so shy about doing new things with people I don't really know but I think it will be worth my time if I can just have the courage to do it. I'm excited...I really feel like God is putting me in the right situations right now. I am hoping some of this will help me to know the answers to prayers right now such as where am I supposed to be next fall. I know God has a plan and a purpose for my life but sometimes having the patience to wait on that is the greatest test of faith.

Better

Just a quick post to say I am doing better. I think a lot of things were on my mind on Monday and it just really got me down. I have those periods ever so often. They are a pain in the ass when they happen but I usually feel better pretty quickly. I think my biggest problem was a bought of homesickness. I think sometimes I think that would not be as bad if I just had someone to come home to here. I would probably still be homesick but I like to think it would help.

I constantly have the debate in my head about moving back home. I think it is in the cards in the future but how far away is it. When I first moved out here, I don't know that moving home was really an option. When I could not get a job outside of Ferris, it became a real possibility to get me out of there. Now that I am here, I am more torn than ever. I love my school. At this point, I could not imagine finding a better opportunity. I also have some really great friends, new and old. I really enjoy reconnecting with old friends. Reminds me of an old Girl Scout Song, "Make new friends but keep the old, One is silver and the other Gold." Anyway, I digress. Lots of things to keep me out here but is the pull to be closer to family stronger. I just don't know. Is this the year I need to consider that possibility stronger...I just don't know. It confuses me daily and I know it will take a lot of prayer to know the answer to those questions.

Ramblings of the Mind

Once again, I am hit by the awareness of the loneliness of my single life. I deal with it okay most of the time but occasionally, it hits me hard and fast that I am still single at almost 30 years old without even a prospect looming on the horizon. I really thought that by this point in my life, I would have met Mr. Wonderful and be settled down raising my children. That was the life I envisioned for me. I know, I have been told many times that it isn't what I have planned for my life but what God has planned for my life. This coming from the same people who repeatedly remind me that the right man will come along with I least expect it. Well, folks, I quit expecting it several years ago and here I am, still single. It's especially hard when most of my friends are already settled down and raising their families. I'm just not sure where I belong.

I want a man who loves me unconditionally for who I am. A man that wants to treat me like I am God's chosen gift for me and to be God's chosen gift for me. I want a man who loves the Lord with all his heart and puts him first in all things. I want a man who finds family to be a very crucial part of his existence. I pray so hard that this man is right around the corner and that my waiting is almost over. I want so badly to have a wonderful man to share my day with and cuddle at night before falling asleep in his arms. Maybe one day.