What a weekend!

We completely enjoyed our weekend away. We didn't get to leave as early as we would have liked to on Friday, but that didn't stop us from having a good time. Neither did getting lost trying to find our hotel. Well, let's translate lost. Translation: Erin didn't pay attention to the directions and forgot to tell Trenton what exit to take. Therefore, we spent about an extra 25 minutes on the road trying to find a different route :) Live and learn. We drove from Platte City up to St. Joe and ate at Red Lobster b/c we were both craving it...delish! Came back to the hotel and crashed. Slept in Saturday morning, did a little shopping, then came back just in time to get ready. The wedding was beautiful and the reception was amazing. It was sooooo good to see Bree and Katie. The weather cooperated just long enough for everyone to get to the reception. It was however in a tin-roofed barn. Talk about loud! The rain would pound for 15-20 minutes, stop, then start again. We finally left the reception to head back to the hotel. We were going to soak in the hot tub and do some swimming. Unfortunately, tornadoes were popping up all around us and the tornado sirens were going off in Platte City. After the storm passed we finally got to relax a bit :) Sunday found us sleeping in again! We headed to St. Joe to meet our friends Monica & Chad and their two little boys, Augutus and William. We got to eat lunch at Olive Garden and visit for a couple hours. Again...it was raining, but still it was good food and a great time catching up with friends! I think we've made a plan to start an annual camping trip.


The barn where the reception was held. The whole place was absolutely beautiful and perfect for a country wedding :)










The storm rolling in...





Katie, Bree & I


Bree and I. Bree & I joined sorority at NW the same year. We also lived in the same apartment building. We shared many memories and many nights of talking, cooking and just hanging out. I miss her tons and wish we were closer. She met Nick about the same time Trenton & I started dating.



Trenton & I standing on the porch of the barn. We had such a great time, despite the cruddy weather!

And we're off :)

After a fun filled day at the roller rink with our special education students, I'm exhausted, but extremely excited at the same time. We took the kids skating this morning for their great behavior, attitude, and effort on the MAP testing. Then we came back to the school for pizza & a movie. Now...it's Friday and Trenton & I are heading out of town to head to Kansas City for a sorority sister's wedding. Not only am I ecstatic to see her after 4 years.....but I'm so ready for a weekend away. We'll be meeting old friend in St. Joe from college on Sunday. I'm probably going to spend tonight soaking in the hot tub after attempting to skate today for the first time in SEVERAL years. Good news is: the insurance detuctibles are met for the year....Great news is: we didn't need them! I didn't even fall once! :) But I probably won't be able to move tomorrow :)


Have a great weekend! Enjoy the sunshine!

This girl...

SO SO SO proud of this kid! Well, she isn't a kid anymore, she's almost 18. Last night was her Area FFA Banquet. She got her Area Degree, 2nd place in Extemporaneous Speaking in the Area, and was installed as the Area III Historian. I've always been proud of her and proud to be her sister, but I'm just amazed at how grown up she is. It's so hard when I've protected her and helped care for her over the years to realize that soon it's going to be time to let her go. Oh...I'm tearing up just thinking about it. We've always had such a special connection. She's the best kid sister ever and I love her more than she'll ever know!

Way to go Katie Nell! We love you, Taz!

Opening Morning and 3-D

This morning is opening morning of the Spring Turkey Season. Trenton was up and at 'em at 5:00 am. At about 6:30, he called to report that the world was short another turkey. He was so excited b/c it's the first tom he's ever called him by himself. I had to take pictures to share! I don't know much about "turkey posing" so I did the best I could. Way to go, baby! He'll hopefully get a chance to go back out next week and try again!





I enjoyed a very lazy weekend. I slept in Saturday b/c Trenton had to go down to work. Got up and got ready to go help at with Campus Bowl districts in Memphis. Then we went out to a dinner and movie with the Jones. We ate at Pagliai's in K-ville and then went to the ultimate 3-D experience...or that's what was advertised. We went to a very grown up and sophisticated movie...Monsters vs. Aliens. LOL. Trenton & I probably watch more cartoon movies than we do anything else. My husband is about to pee his pants with excitement for the release of Ice Age III in 3-D in July. He's been looking forward to it for a year now! I snapped some pics of all of us sporting our snazzy 3-D glasses.



Yesterday, I got up early to get ready to teach Sunday school. We stayed for the 2nd service. Afterwards, we came home, ate some leftovers, and I proceeded to be lazy the rest of the day. I used to read like 3 books a week. I love Nora Roberts. But somehow over the last couple years, I've just stopped reading. Thursday, I had to get some groceries at Hy-vee and saw the latest Nora book, Tribute. So I spent my $7.99 and threw it in the cart. Normally, I wouldn't spend that much money on a book, but I just wanted to READ! And that I did, I read on Saturday morning and all afternoon yesterday instead of doing laundry OR finishing my painting, but dangit, I love a good book! I can't wait to finish it tonight, after the new workout class that is~

Laundry Room Border

This is the border for the room. It won't be up until all the painting is done...but I'm hoping it looks ok when we're all done!

Laundry Room Pics

Keep in mind these are camera phone pics b/c Trenton has my camera today to take pictures of his control burn at work. They're fuzzy...but I think you can get an idea of the "crackle" effect.

Me and my big ideas....

So for the last few months, I've been saving my $$$ to remodel the laundry room. I knew that in April I'd be getting paid for all the extra hours I spent tutoring after school, so I finally decided on an idea and gathered my supplies. I'll post a complete before and after, well when it's finally finished. Our laundry room was crowded with a computer desk, pantry, shelf with food staples, washer/dryer, and general catch-all. I didn't get any before before pictures with all the junk in there, but I did get some of everything but the desk. The walls were wooden paneling (B-E-A-UTIFUL). I bought the border I wanted back in the fall and have just been saving it for a time when I could afford to do the rest. I'm pretty satisfied with the way it's turning out, but my house is a complete disaster in the process. This was supposed to all take place over Easter break....that didn't happen, not even close. There are three coats to the painting. The first has to dry for 24 hours. I started this coat at about 8 pm on Friday night. Trenton took the day off and we spent time catching up the laundry since the washer/dryer would be unhooked for a few days. We also spent the day "de-junking" the laundry room. Holly and Logan needed a computer desk, so we moved it out to the porch for them to pick up on Saturday. Trenton put the puppy outside to move to the big pen, cleaned up that area, and we were finally able to get up to the attic again. He moved both computers up to the attic as well as some other stuff. Saturday and Sunday were chaotic with Easter and dinners and whatnot, but Monday was going to be the day to finish. My mom had said she would help me finish the painting. The 2nd coat needs to dry 1-2 hours and then the last coat has to go on within 4 hours. So Monday comes, Mom can't help and I have to meet Trenton in town for a meeting. Finally get home, but it's too late to start the painting.

Trenton hates my projects. HATES! Mostly, b/c....he always gets roped into helping no matter how much I insist that I will get it done on my own. So, last night, I got home from work about 5:30 and started the clear crackle coat. When he got home it was dry enough for us to start the top coat. News flash: I suck at painting. I get mad b/c it doesn't look right and pout. This is what always happens. This is why Trenton always ends up involved. So I painted one tiny little bit last night and then just stood by for moral support as he painted. He's my hero. He always saves my butt on these projects of mine. I get so frustrated b/c I have creativity, it's just trapped in my head. I have all these beautiful ideas floating around in there, but not enough talent to get them out and actually have them turn out. That's why we're a good team. I seriously think designing our house will be fun b/c he can take my ideas and turn them into real life. So, long story short, we got 2 of the fours walls done and will hopefully finish tonight. I have to re-touch the trim and am hoping Mom can help with border Thursday. For now, here's a snapshot of the semi-finished product on the walls. It's supposed to look like barn board. That's what I envisioned anyway.....thoughts???

Thank you, baby, for your help! I couldn't do all these wonderful projects without you! You're my saving grace!

***Edited to add*** I can't get the picture to post right now, but I'll keep working on it!

1000 Word Thursday

This is the view when you walk into our school each morning. Bright, springy tulips in red and pink! It just cheers me up each morning and I've been waiting to capture them on camera! So enjoy!

While I'm Waiting

I heard this song today on Spirit FM (yes, I listen to it at school:). It's from the movie, Fireproof. During the song on the radio, there is talking from the movie, so I couldn't concentrate fully on the words. I looked up the song, it spoke straight to my heart and I just wanted to document it here to have for one of those days when I just don't think I can go on. Without saying too much more, Trenton and I have yet again been going through unbearable pain that we never wanted to experience again. I hope we can be patient and continue to serve God, while we wait...There are so many things in our lives right now that are causing a mixture of feelings. I feel like God is laying so many things in place for our future and it's hard to be patient at times. I find myself nervous, excited, anxious, scared, etc. But mostly, I just need to remember to be grateful and thankful for God's love and plan.

8. While I’m Waiting
Psalm 5:3, 27:14, 33:20, 37:7, 38:15, 40:1, Isaiah 30:18, Lamentations 3:24
John Waller

"The explanation for this song is simple, I was waiting on God and I was hurting when I wrote the lyrics. I probably wouldn’t have written
a song if my friend, Mike, hadn’t encouraged me to document what I was going through during that time. I’m sure there are few people
who can’t relate to this song, but the important thing to remember while we’re waiting on God is to not just wait but to actively wait.
Serve, worship and be faithful with what you have, where you are… “even while (you) wait.”

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am hopeful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it is painful
But patiently, I will wait

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience

While I’m waiting
I will serve You
While I’m waiting
I will worship
While I’m waiting
I will not faint
I’ll be running the race
Even while I wait

I’m waiting
I’m waiting on You, Lord
And I am peaceful
I’m waiting on You, Lord
Though it’s not easy
But faithfully, I will wait
Yes, I will wait

I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting
I will serve You while I’m waiting
I will worship while I’m waiting on You, Lord