Glorify

wheeler kids do the can-can

2008-08-08T12:51:00.001-07:00

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I love the New York Post

2008-08-06T08:51:00.000-07:00

Mainly their political cartoons.

http://www.nypost.com/postopinion/ramirez/ramirez.htm

About once a month I go there and just look at all the cartoons at once. Then I exit the window with a smile on my face.

2008-07-29T09:56:00.000-07:00

I finally got most (17) of my best of Topeka stories submitted. The other three I haven't submitted yet I had a hard time getting a hold of. One was pizza hut, which I finally called the corporate office media line in Dallas and got a hold of the press relations guy. He is supposed to be emailing me the answers later today. Then for AAA I finally got in contact with the woman who is the head of the region for Kansas, and we did an interview this morning. I'll get that done later today. The other one was for Jeremiah Bullfrog's which won best sports bar and best live music, but they seriously never called me back. Finally one of the servers there called and said that they decided not to participate this year because they are too busy expanding the bar. It's their loss I suppose. Who wouldn't want free advertising?

In other news, my printer is out of ink. grr it's always something.

The professor I went to Germany with back in March nominated me to write the story of our trip in the Washburn's international study abroad newsletter. That is due Friday, so I really have to get started. I also want to start painting this week but I'm not sure I can manage it. I'll probably do it next week.

It's been rainy here today and yesterday. I'm enjoying the cooler weather, but it's so annoying because our backyard gets muddy because of all the trees. The grass has not been able to grow very well back there because of the shade. I love how it's so shady, but Greta goes out there and gets muddy and then tracks it in. So of course I have to wipe her paws everytime she goes outside, but sometimes she still gets mud everywhere. We are planting grass seed this fall, so hopefully next spring it won't be so much of a problem.

Reagan highlighted my hair last night and I love it! It's very subtle, it just adds a bit of dimension. I think the shade was just one lighter than my natural so when it grows out it won't be noticable.

canceled classes

2008-07-23T10:15:00.000-07:00

I got an email last night from the secretary of the Mass Media department telling me one of my classes for the fall--International Media Systems-- had been canceled because of low enrollment. I was looking forward to the class because it is taught by the head of the department, who is also the same professor I went to Germany with last spring, and although she is tough (I had her for a summer class too and we had three 2500 word papers, in a month long class, amongst other things) it would have been a good class. I think this is perhaps the Lord's way of saying I shouldn't be taking 18 hours anyways. I was going to sign up for an advanced feature writing class, but alas I threw the paper with my pin on it away, so I can't register. I guess it's only 15 hours for me this fall.

This isn't the only time a class has been canceled on me. A few years back I was going to take a combat journalism class through the history department which I was REALLY looking forward to, and they canceled that as well. Oh well, it's for the best. If I remember correctly I didn't have a babysitter at that time for Colter, and Brent was in Iraq.

So I've been really busy with the house. I finished my classes at the end of June and have been trying to get a lot of painting and organizing done. The organizing is pretty much finished, but I've only gotten one room painted out of the five I want to finish before school starts. One thing that's put a crimp in my schedule is that my editor with the Capital Journal assigned me 20, yes twenty best of Topeka stories. They are not hard, it's just a matter of getting them done. The money is good, so that's a bonus. They are due on Monday, so after that I will be completely concentrating on painting. I'll get some picture posted after it's all done!

we are homeowners!

2008-05-27T11:43:00.000-07:00

Last night I got an email from my PE teacher saying be there at 7:30 am sharp! So I race to class this morning because I always leave later than I should. Somehow, he wasn't there yet, and he didn't show up for like ten more minutes! It was quite the interesting contradiction, but I would rather have him be late than me be late!

The class is called "outdoor activities" and I really didn't want to guess what that would include. But I couldn't be happier. We'll be hiking, biking, kayaking, and canoeing. We will have some written work but that's all out of class, and it should be pretty simple. I'm really looking forward to the class!

My other two classes are online. One is for my major--Women and Media. The other is a Washburn. requirement--English 300. So I am going to be busy for the month of June! But it will be fun.

The closing went relatively smoothly. Our payment is somehow going to be ten dollars a month more than they said it was going to be, but it should go down at the end of the year because of taxes. I am a little bit irritated because I had our budget planned to the dollar with our house payment, so I'll have to adjust it now.

But other than that all we have to do now is move! I pick up the moving truck tomorrow (that's right, I am going to drive it!) and then we start loading up in preparation for possession on Thursday.

why I am thankful we are buying a house

2008-05-26T20:07:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow we are closing on our house. There are so many things that I am excited about for this new house, which have not been possible in our current living situation. I thought I would put them all down just so I could have a list of why I am so happy to be moving!

1. We are getting rid of the full size bed we've had for 3 and a half years, and we bought a king size! It's getting delivered on Friday! There are just no words to express how much I am grateful that we are upgrading. Brent and I love to cuddle, but sometimes in the middle of the night he lies sideways, and I end up with no room. We will still cuddle, just with more room on either side of us!

2. Greta will have a FENCED yard! No more waiting while she does her thing. Heck, she can even be outside for more than two minutes at a time!

3. No more bird poop on my car! We were fortunate to have a single car garage with the rental house, but my longer-than-a-minivan sedan simply would not fit. So Brent got to use it for his car, while I parked mine under a tree. A two car garage was not even on my must list for a potential house, but I am so glad to have it!

4. I will have a place to read other than my bed or the computer chair. I get to have my own office. Right now the only thing that is going to go in there is my computer desk, Colter's train table (so he can play while I do homework) and a comfy striped blue armchair that was graciously donated by my stepmom. The armchair will go by the window so I can read and be comfortable while doing homework, Bible reading, etc.

5. I can paint the walls!

6. My breadmaker can come out of its box and we can stop buying store bread!

7. I CAN USE MY TREADMILL! It's going to go in the laundry room with all of my other exercise stuff, and I will use it!

8. Brent will have his own space. He has claimed the basement as his own, and although I first was upset about it, I have come to peace about the situation. He is so excited to be able to put up all his sports stuff and have his ping-pong table down there.

9. I am so excited to use the trails that are by our house. I didn't even know that there were trails back there before we looked at this house. They aren't paved, but that's the best kind! There are trees and grass and a stream and that's about all I need!

10. Somehow we ended up with a house that has TWO back decks. How cool! One is off of the kitchen, which is obviously for entertaining and the like. The other is off the master suite and is more suited for reading and quiet relaxation.

I am simply so thankful that we have the opportunity to buy a house, espesially this house, which has more than we were looking for. I pray that I will be good steward of what God has given my family, by taking care of it in the best possible way, using it to minister to fellow Christians and those who need to hear the Gospel, and as a restful home for my family.

On another note, I have class starting at 7:30 in the morning tomorrow. It's a PE class (a requirement for Washburn) and we somehow need a textbook! What the heck is that about? The class is called outdoor activities, and I just hope that we'll actually be spending time outdoors and not making use of that textbook too much!

wow, pathetic

2008-05-21T13:07:00.002-07:00

it's been almost a year since I started this and not a single post since then! I'm not really sure why though. =) I've been thinking I need to start writing again. The one thing that initially discouraged me was that I didn't know how to customize the site. I guess I need a tutorial. Anyone up for the job?

Reagan tagged me to write seven facts about myself, so here goes.

1. I just finished debating with some Jehovah's Witnesses who stopped by. It was fun. I don't think they encounter very many people who are familiar with the Bible's teaching and can tell them they're wrong. I asked them to convert me, and hurry cause I had a pretend knife in my chest and I was about to die. They couldn't do it. They said they didn't know if that was possible. Yeah right! Repentance and trust in the Savior! It's very simple!

2. After I have my toenails painted, they always always always get messed up before they dry. It's just the way it is. I have come to accept it.

3. I really love my job. It's not my career, but it's nice that I can do something while working towards my career that I actually enjoy. Waitressing at Texas Roadhouse is it.

4. I have been stressed out the past couple of days because we are closing and moving into our house next week. It is scary because it is something new and I hope that we are being responsible and making a wise decision with our money. But I just have to trust that God is in control and everything will work for his Glory.

5. It was a rough winter. I've gained 10 lbs since we moved up from Texas. It is a combination of it being a cold winter, not liking our current neighborhood, and not having a reliable work out schedule. When we lived in Texas, I was extremely active, going to Jazzercise, swimming laps in the afternoon, and taking an hour long walk at night. I am looking forward to making a new routine and getting back into shape after we move!

6. I drink water more than any other beverage.

7. Today Brent and I have been married for four years! We are celebrating tonight by grabbing some dinner and then going to the midnight showing of Indiana Jones. Colter is staying the night at Grandma Sweet T's house!

wow, pathetic

2008-05-21T13:07:00.001-07:00

First Post

2007-06-04T13:47:00.000-07:00

I have decided that I have outgrown xanga, and I wanted to move over to the more grown up place that is blogspot. So here I am!

I want this blog to be more about my reflections as a Christian mother and wife, doing my best to glorify the Lord through every action and thought. Also, about my experiences training my son and the adventures we have everyday, growing up together. (hehe)

Anyways, today before Colter's nap, we went swimming at a pool about a five minute's walk from our house. It is great because it's totally free, and it's a huge pool with a slide and everything. Colter is still very nervous in the water, hopefully by the end of the summer that will not be so! Being comfortable in the water is a very important skill for kids to have, so hopefully I can teach him that.

I met a new friend there as well. She was set up next to our picnic table, and she was reading a book called "A Table in the Precense," about a Marine chaplain's experiences during the beginning of the Iraq war. I read that book last year, so we started talking. She just moved here six weeks ago and doesn't really know anyone, so I invited her to come with us to our picnic in the park we going to have tomorrow. I got her number and everything. I'm excited to potentially have another Christian friend!

Last night there was a new show on Lifetime called "Army Wives." Obviously you can tell the subject matter, but it was very interesting. Of course the everyday life of an army wife is not exciting enough for a TV drama, so they had to play it up a bit. It was silly in some areas (one of the wives gives birth to the surroagate twins she was carrying while on a pool table). In other areas it was downright wrong (an enlisted man salutes an officer indoors, which is never done--only outside). The enlisted wives were made to look trashy, gossipy, back-stabbing and spreading rumours about other wives just because they have nothing better to do. The officer's wives were also made to look very conniving and backstabbing, just not trashy. Of course these are the stereotypes in the military, and of course stereotypes are never always true.

I just hope the show doesn't continue to portray us badly (as they've already started to do). Maybe other wives have different experiences, but I live on post, and I have encountered very little drama and things of that nature, like it is on the show.

However, we haven't lived on post all that long, and in addition, I try to steer clear of people I know who will start that kind of stuff. So perhaps that's the reason why my life is not like that tv show.

The show airs on Lifetime, Sunday nights at 9. You can watch the premiere episode at www.lifetimetv.com