Random Dozen

1. How do you feel about the marshmallow Easter Peeps? I can't remember ever actually trying them but nothing about them appeal to me

2. Chickens are notoriously nervous creatures. When you are nervous, what is the best way to calm down? Sleep

3. People say, "April showers bring May flowers." Do you enjoy Spring rains? No not really but it's better that winter rain.

4. When I was randomly flipping through TV channels this week, I saw a show in which tattoo parlor employees received tattoos of a co-worker's face on their bodies. I can't imagine having a portrait of a colleague tattooed on me. But if someone forced you to receive a portrait tattoo (face only) of anyone, who would it be? Why? If I was being forced it would be Hannah's face. She is so pretty!

5. Would you rather have a tattoo (any kind) or a nose ring? Tattoo

6. Do you have any special plans for Easter? Church and lunch

7. Cadbury Eggs or Reese Eggs? Never had either but I would choose Reese

8. What was the last thing/person you took a picture of? Me and Hannah

9. What book are you reading now, or what was the last one? I'm not reading one and I really can't remember the last one I did read.

10. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning? I've never actually "Spring cleaned" before so I don't know

11. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own? Not really sure because I have gotten rid of a lot...I can think of about 2-3 pairs right now

12. Which color makes you happiest? HOT pink

All Things New

It has been a long time since I have actually blogged about what is going on with my family. Tons of stuff has changed in the past few months. Great things!

Jason and I both have new jobs that I am so proud of! Jason found a job at an appliance place that is 3 minutes down the road. I can't wait till he has been there for a while because I know he will be an awesome salesman! He sure can talk!

My best friend is an RN at the NICU and one of the receptionists was leaving and THANKFULLY she thought of me when they asked about people that would be interested. Thanks to her I got an interview! I interviewed on a Tuesday and was offered the job on Thursday! I was beyond excited! I really couldn't believe they called me that fast! It is part time(2 days a week) and is a 12 hour night shift. I'm so excited about this new adventure I'm about to set out on. I have never worked like that in my life! I can't believe I found the place I will probably be working at for many, many years!

Hannah is just great! She will be 18 months old tomorrow and I can't belive it is almost time to start planning her 2nd birthday party! I already have tons of ideas floating around in my head. She is such a big girl now...definitely not a baby anymore (even though I still call her my Sweet Baby). She is starting to talk and recognize things. She knows every animal I can of a sound for. (cat, dog, duck, fish, monkey, elephant, lion, pig, cow) She knows Eeyore! She can point out things like birds, flowers, ball, hat, door, and book. She is just so smart and sweet!

If I Were....

I got this from Heather's blog and thought it was cute. I haven't blogged in a long time but I need to start back. We have a lot of great things going on. I will post later about everything.

If I were...

If I were a month, I'd be October.

If I were a day of the week, I'd be Tuesday.

If I were a time of day, I'd be Afternoon.

If I were a planet, I'd be Earth.

If I were a sea animal, I'd be a Dolphin.

If I were a direction, I'd be West.

If I were a piece of furniture, I'd be a Big Comfy Chair.

If I were a liquid, I'd be Diet Mountain Dew.

If I were a gemstone, I'd be a Diamond!

If I were a tree, I'd be an Oak.

If I were a tool, I'd be a Hammer.

If I were a flower, I'd be a Lily.

If I were a kind of weather, I'd be 75 degrees!

If I were a musical instrument, I'd be a Drum.

If I were a color, I'd be Hot Pink.

If I were an emotion, I'd be Ecstatic.

If I were a fruit, I'd be an Apple.

If I were an element, I'd be Wind.

If I were a car, I'd be a Brand New Chevy Camaro! (Those cars are HOT!)

If I were a food, I'd be Chicken.

If I were a place, I'd be NYC.

If I were a material, I'd be Mink.

If I were a scent, I'd be Lavender.

If I were an animal, I'd be a Cat.

If I were a facial expression, I'd be Surprise.

If I were a body part I'd be Eyes.

If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be Stilettos.

Random Dozen

1. Have you ever fired a gun or shot a bow and arrow? Yes, I have done both.

2. Do you know where your childhood best friends are? Yes! I grew up with Justin and Jacob. I have been around them since we were in diapers. My mom babysat them and they lived across the street. I have TONS of memories with them.

3. Do you usually arrive early, late, or on time? Usually I am either a few minutes late or just right on time. I'm terrible with knowing what time to start getting ready.

4. Are you more of a New York or California type? Well I have never been to CA but I think I am a NY girl. I loved the city!

5. Do you have a special ring tone? Nothing that has any meaning. The only time I had a ringtone that had a meaning was right before and after Hannah was born I had Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely"

6. What is your favorite type of chip? crinkle cut lays

7. Best comedy you've ever seen is .... I used to love watching Who's Line Is It Anyway at night. I would laugh so hard!

8. Have you ever cut your own hair? To quote Dr. Phil, "How'd that work for ya?" I have trimmed up little stray hairs that find there way out and I have flipped my head over and cut to try and make layers. I never would cut enough to really matter though. Ha!
9. If you were going to have an extreme makeover, would you rather it be about your house or your personal self? My personal self!

10. Are you allergic to anything? Not that I know of

11. Why is it so hard to change? Humans are creatures of habit
12. One last question dedicated to February love: CS Lewis said, "To love is to be vulnerable." Please share one example of that assertion or share any thought you'd like to about this topic. Putting your heart out on the line for another person is the ultimate way of being vulnerable. Humans aren't perfect so there is always a chance of something terrible happening. Love is amazing. It can yell and fight and 10 minutes later go to bed laughing like crazy! Amazing!

YAY!!!

My husband found a job!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so excited!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so proud!!!!!!!!!!!

Still Wishing and Hoping

We are still waiting on a job opportunity to present itself. It sure has been one long, HARD wait. We have had so many ups and downs in the past month and a half.....and we have only been married 4 months! Surely it can only go up from here.

I have been filling in at a daycare for a friend of mine while she doesn her field experience for school. I go three days a week and it sure has reminded me why I swore I would never work at a daycare again after my last experience. It's also weird since I'm just filling in. It's like it's not my job but it is my job. I'm not really there teacher but I am for now. It's just awkward to me. I'm sitting at my parents' house right now because I was supposed to be going in to work tomorrow BUT the daycare caught FIRE tonight! My dad called on his way home and told my mom. Later my friend called and said they were closed because of the fire. Luckily the daycare was in the middle of moving to a new location so most of their stuff is already at the new place. We will be starting at the new place Monday. I'm hoping the new place will be better for me.

I think Hannah has another ear infection. She never had anything wrong with her until a couple months ago when she got her first ear infection. I have noticed recently that she has been pulling at her ear. It's either an ear infection or her teeth. She has two new teeth coming through right now. I'm calling the doctor in the morning so hopefully we can go get her checked out.

Where is the Love?

All of my thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, family, staff, doctors, nurses, police and suspects involved with today shootings at UAH.

Two shootings in two weeks?

What is going on around here?

Heavy...

Hearted.

That's how I'm feeling. I was going through last night reading blogs and when I came to Kelly's I saw she had posted about Cardboard Testimonies. I have seen this before and scanned over the video to finish reading the post. Before I left her blog I decided to watch it again. I am so GLAD I did. I sat there crying as if I knew those people. Thinking in my head, "When will my flipped side come?" I have never in my life really had a struggling time concerning God's care for me but boy am I going through one right now. I know that even at my worst, I still have nothing on the people in Haiti, the Brown family in Huntsville, the homeless, the foodless. I am grateful for what I have but I hate not knowing how I'm going to provide for Hannah.

Just please pray for Jason, Hannah, and I.

Yucky Days

The past couple of days have been absolutely nasty outside. It rained nonstop all day Thursday, through the night, and then most of today. It has just been a mess. I planned on staying inside all day Thursday but I realized I didn't have anything for supper so Hannah and I made a mad dash to Wal-Mart. It wasn't too bad. Today we picked up lunch at Arby's and had lunch with my mom. After that we came home and just played around the house.

Hannah's little personality has really started shining in the past couple of days. She has started being goofy and has FINALLY learned to laugh! Not that she has never laughed before but now it is so easy to get her rolling! I just LOVE it!

These are a couple of pictures from Wednesday when I went shopping with Hannah.

I held this dress up to Hannah and asked her she like it. She said yes and grabbed it and starting hugging it and talking to it. I just love her!


I was getting ready to go into the consignment shop and Hannah was in her seat being silly. She was talking and laughing and pulling her legs up in the air. So cute!

Random Dozen and a Day of Shopping

1. Do you use the labels various charities send you as “free gifts?”
I have never gotten any with my name on them.

2. What is your favorite time of day (or night) for skywatching?
I love the late evening pinks!

3. What is the most adventurous you've ever been with trying a new food? (Keep it G-rated please)
I'm not big on trying new food.

4. Have you ever heard a rock sing? (Trust me, there's a reason for this one!)
(Luke 19) and no :-)

5. If you could learn a language you don't presently speak, what would it be?
Spanish would be very useful

6. Al Capone's tombstone read, “My Jesus, Mercy.” If you could write your own epitaph, what would it say?
I have no idea! I don't think about dying!

7. If you were a famous musician who was known by one name, like “Cher,” “Sting,” or “Jewel,” what would it be? It doesn’t have to be your first name, but it could be.
Em

8. Have you ever been inordinately “into” a television show?
No not really.

9. When you sneeze, do you go big, or do you do that weird “heenh!” sound that makes people think you’re going to blow your brains out? Any other variation we should know about?
I sneeze big!

10. Do you still read an actual newspaper that you hold in your hands, or do you get your news elsewhere?
My parents subscribe but here at the apartment we just get two free weekly papers.

11. Are you a good speller?
Very!

12. At what time each day do you start thinking about lunch?
Whenever I get hungry


I had so much fun shopping with Hannah today! We went to Jones Valley and made our way through Hobby Lobby, Ross, Shoe Carnival, Target, and then Twice Upon A Time back in Hampton Cove. Gotta love a shopping day! I found a couple of cute summer things for Hannah. I can't wait to fill up her summer wardrobe!

Simple Pleasures

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner made a post about the simple pleasures in life. There are so many simple things in life that bring so much pleasure.



**Watching Hannah walk off right after I put a new, cute outfit on her.



**Watching Hannah....period. :-)



**Hearing her start to say her first words.



**Watching Hannah's personality shine through.



**Cold diet mountain dew



**Late night Taco Bell runs.



**Big pink hairbows.



**Chicken



**Hair "trims"



**New shirts



**Zebra cakes



In the middle of having no income, I have realized how immeasurably BLESSED I am. I have realized how spoiled and ungrateful I have been in the years past. I am grateful for my parents more now than ever. I am thankful for Jason and Hannah.

Nothing much....

has been going on around here.



We receieved some terrible news regarding our unemployment and haven't had any luck with the job search. I did get to work a couple times at a daycare this past week but it's so far away that it's not really worth my time unless I can get in full time. I have been very down about all of this. All I can think about is providing for Hanah.

I'm so ready to be set financially.

7 Random Facts

I was tagged by my friend Brittany to do a list of 7 random facts about myself. I've been trying to come up with the list for a few days now so here it goes:

1. I LOVE cook! This is actually a new hobby that I started a month or so before our wedding. I have to have a recipe though. I'm not quite to the point of just throwing stuff together.

2. My favorite thing in the world to do is shop for Hannah. It's just so much fun! There are thousands of awesome things out there for little girls and it really is hard to say no.

3. I actually love being in school. I always have. I guess it makes me feel productive. I'm so ready to go back to school to finish my degree...I don't know what I will do after that! (HOPEFULLY find a job that thinks my degree is worth something!)

4. I love to make things. Craft projects. I think it's more about seeing what I can do and being proud of it. I made an ornament wreath this Christmas and it was so pretty!

5. I'm going to have a new "title" this July: "Auntie Em"!!!!

6. I love going to Wal-Mart. Iknow most people hate the place but I find myself there all the time. It's a great way to get me and Hannah out of the house. We just go walk around.

7. I'm addicted to Diet Mountain Dew and I think that's putting it lightly.

Random Dozen

1.If you physically lock in one age for yourself, which would you choose and why?

So far(seeing as I'm only 20) I would say 18. I LOVED my hair then!

2. What is the best dish that you cook or bake (your piece de resistance?)
If I have a recipe I can pretty much cook anything. I can't pick anything as my favorite but I really like my Mexican Chicken Pasta...which is just pasta, velveeta, rotel, and chicken.

3. When you feel blue, what is one strategy you use to help yourself back to normal?
I love to sleep when I'm in a bad mood or something isn't going good but that's a rareity now being married and having Hannah.

4. When was the last time you danced in public?
Senior prom

5. Do you consider yourself a realist or dreamer?
Realist...almost too real.

6. As a parent, what is one thing that you have done well?
Well Hannah is only 15 months old so the discipline is just starting. I plan on insisting she say "Yes, maam" and "No, maam."

7. Which is your favorite character on the Andy Griffith show?
None

8. On a scale of 1-10, how much do you know about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
Probably about a 1 which all they teach in school....which is sad.

9. What is your #1 driving pet peeve?
People who are flat out rude in public places. For example, the man who saw me trying to get my buggy through an aisle at Wal-Mart on the day after Christmas but he tried pushing by me going in the opposite protection. I very quickly said(in a not so nice tone: "If you would let me get by then you can go!"

10. Which color best represents your mood today? Care to elaborate?
I have no idea

11. If your spouse were an animal, which would he/she be?
He would say a lion. I can hear him answering that right now! lol

12. What activity takes up the bulk of your time on an average day?
Getting myself and Hannah ready for the day. If I actually fixed my hair and makeup everyday it would take half a day to get out of the house.

Homecoming

I had so much fun taking Hannah to homecoming tonight with my parents! It took her a little bit to warm up but once she was fine she wanted DOWN! All she wanted to do is get down and run with all those boys/girls on the court. She had fun watching all the girls in their pretty dresses and of course kids sitting around us caught her attention. She made it through the rest of the boys' game but the girls' game she started gettting antsy. I think she was sleepy because she didn't get a good nap today. She was pacified with some Gerber Crunchies and Propel, but eventually she started squirming again. During the halftime of the girls' game my dad volunteered to take her out to the lobby and let her walk around. I was watching her and she was dragging him around good! I told mom that he better watch out or she will be running down the court and the next think I know I look up and she is dragging him down the sidelines. I just laughed. I went down to her and she was having the time of her life...and look ADORABLE doing it!



It looks like my parents are pulling on her arms but they were just holding onto her because she was stepping up and down on the bleacher. I guess she thought she was going somewhere.



Mommy and Hannah

Excited!

I'm excited for tomorrow! I get to pick up our wedding pictures! Also I'm going to Woodville's homecoming game. Hannah has the CUTEST outfit to wear! I even bought a new shirt to wear. :-) I haven't gone to any functions since I graduated. I'm looking forward to taking Hannah to a basketball game. I think she is going to love it.

My friend tagged me on her blog to make a list of 7 random fact about me. I'm still trying to think of what in the world to write!

I will post pictures of our homecoming trip tomorrow! (or the next day :-))

Random Dozen

1. When was the last time you craved a food--what was it, and did you cave? I have been wanting Buenavista SO BAD for a while now! I haven't been able to go yet but as soon as we have the money I plan on going!
2. M & M's or Skittles? Neither really but if I had to choose I would pick Skittles
3. Have you ever read the Bible completely through? no I haven't
4. How long does it take you to really wake up in the morning? Way too long
5. Have you ever been on a cruise? If not, would you like to? No I haven't but I would LOVE to!
6. Who is your favorite actress? I love Sandra Bullock!
7. ______ is something that I will just never understand. Love! It's an unending journey!
8. How much of a technology junkie are you? I love new things! I wish I could have every new gadget!
9. Do you enjoy selecting greeting cards for people, or is it more of a cultural "have to" for you? I really like it if I have a nice assortment to choose from but I hate that they cost so much.
10. When was the last time you got a new style/haircut? I had a haircut about a month after the wedding but it wasn't anything new....BUT I'm so ready to change it up!
11. What do you enjoy shopping for most? Anything for Hannah and I do mean anything! Baby girls are so much fun to shop for!
12. What's the last thing you think of before you leave the house? My checklist of things I need!

YUM-O!

I have fallen in love with finding recipes online...mainly on random blogs. I love getting recipes from "normal" people. Most don't use a ton of stuff you have never heard of...simple. Also a lot of the blogs I read are moms so they are all usually fast/easy recipes. About a month before our wedding I started getting very interested in cooking. Lucky for Jason that interest has continued.

These are two crockpot recipes that I tried yesterday and today.

Crockpot Pizza--WOW! This was GREAT! I'm not a huge fan of pizza but this was amazing! I didn't meausre pepperoni. I just threw some in! I also just used onion powder. I also just bought the smallest bag of the shredded cheeses and used however much looked good.

Ingredients:
12 ounces egg noodles, cooked according to package instructions and drained
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/4 cup chopped onions
2 (14 ounce) jars pizza sauce
3.5 ounces pepperoni
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:
1. In a large skillet, cook ground beef and onion until done. Drain. Stir in the pizza sauce and pepperoni.

2. Grease crock pot. Spread 1/3 of the meat sauce in bottom. Cover with layer of noodles, then a layer of the cheeses. Repeat layers twice.

3. Cover and cook on low heat for 3-4 hours or until heated through and cheeses are melted

Slow Cooker Honey Chicken-This was so good with some mashed potatoes! I bought a pack of thinly cut chicken breasts and it did ok but next time I will use normal sized ones. It doesn't even have to be 6. However many you want would work. I also just used garlic powder and worchestire sauce instead of soy sauce.

Ingredients
6 chicken breasts
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 1/2 cups honey
1/3 cup ketchup
1 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup oil
2 teaspoons garlic, minced
Directions
1.Combine ingredients in slow cooker.
2.Cover; cook on Low 7-8 hours or High 3-4 hours.

Darn!

About that interview I blogged about the other day......didn't get it. I was told she would be making a decision by today and I never heard from her. This really stinks! That job would have been a HUGE prayer answered! Today,I sent my resume off to a local dentist office that is hiring. Hopefully, I will hear from there! I really hope so! We are getting so close to being without that I'm really scared. Just keep praying.

Random Dozen

1. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being a cranky-baby-hissy-fitter, how much of a complainer are you? I would say like a 6. I'm not the absolute most whiney person but I have my moments.

2. When someone else is talking, do you listen, or are you thinking about what you're going to say in response? Well you have to listen so you know what you're responding to.

3. Do you have any plans for a clean sweep this month--of anything? No not really

4. Tell us about your perfume. Was it a gift? What does it remind you of? Do you have a signature scent?

5. What is your best organizing tip for the new year? I don't have any!

6. What is your favorite comic strip? Luanne

7. Do you sleep with a fluffy or flat pillow? I wish I had bit fluffy/firm pillow but I can't spend $50 on a pillow.

8. What color is your kitchen? Why did you choose that color? I don't have a color. We are newlyweds who are struggling as it is so we are lucky/thankful for anything whether it matched or not.

9. What’s the most interesting bumper sticker you’ve seen? IDK

10. Do you prefer an expensive writing tool or whatever is lying around? I have preferences but not to the point I can remember the exact names.

11. What chore doesn’t feel like a chore – you just enjoy it? Shopping

12. If your parents often repeated themselves, what is something one of them said more than once? I can't think of anything. lol!

A Little Bit Of Sunshine Amidst The Storm

I had an interview today! It was TOTALLY out of the blue and unexpected but VERY welcomed! A friend of mine works there and told her boss about me. I'm really hoping I get hired. I'm not super positive about it but I'm not super negative about it either. I'm just hoping for the best....which would be a phone call saying "You're HIRED!" We will see. :-)

After the interview, I found myself in town ALONE! I haven't been shopping without Hannah since she was born. I always take her with me everywhere I go. I LOVED shopping with her when she was tiny and I still do love it, but now that she is a walking machine she doesn't like staying in her stroller and she won't walk with me...she runs away! She gets ill much easier now than she did when she was little too. I made a stop by Hobby Lobby, Barnes and Noble, and Target. I just walked at my own pace and didn't have to keep saying, "Hannah no! Hannah don't touch that! Hannah you can't have that!" While in Hobby Lobby I decided to buy some ribbon and try making a korker bow. I just finished it a few minutes ago and it was so EASY! I will for sure be making more! (Maybe my brother/sister in law's baby will be a girl and I can make some for her!)



Hannah doesn't have one brown hairbow so that's what I decided to do. It looks black in this picture but it's brown. I thought it turned out great!

Wishing I Could View The Future

It's January 2 and I'm already looking forward to next year. I know you aren't supposed to wish your life away but good grief we should be allowed an occaisonal fast forward.

Jason and I have been married about 2 1/2 months and we already facing a job loss and no insurance. Does God think everybody should experience this once in their lives? I hope this is it for us! Deep inside I know things will be ok but just the thought of running out of medical supplies is freaking me out. (I'm diabetic!)

I'm just trying to stay positive and hope for the best.