That's Twice Now..

So, I've been getting back into the swing of working out this week...

Monday, Body Step - kicked me in the butt fo sho. Especially after the day of walking on Sunday.

Tuesday (ice day, thankfully I had a good excuse not to exercise)

Wednesday, Body Pump, a little challenging and I'm feeling it today

Thursday, as I'm getting in the car to leave, I notice the nice trash people left the trash can in the MIDDLE of the driveway... Well, this means that I have to go move it if I'm leaving.

The problem: There is snow and icy patches all over the driveway. Fully aware of this, I'm taking baby steps, being super cautious, but to no avail... I end up busting it once more. No worries, I was eventually able to get back up and move the trash can.

Well, as I'm moving the trash-can, I see a piece of something 'slippery' that could be used as a sled, and I think to myself 'well, why not, when in Rome..." so, the genius that I am, attempts to "sled" down the driveway, it was a pretty good time until I could not stop before the porch.

Oh I'm sure many adventures lie ahead of me having great ideas and them failing terribly.

At least I can laugh at myself though! It was pretty entertaining.

Did you get your tonsils removed?

Meet Brett (left) & Jack (right). These are two of my incredible nephews.

These two are having a tonsillectomy tomorrow. However, both boys inherited a blood clotting disorder from their mom...and unfortunately Brett doesn't respond to the blood clotting medicine (which they discovered after a series of ridiculous tests.)

Needless to say, Brett will likely have to have a platelet transfusion tomorrow after the surgery. There is also a chance he will need one 4 - 7 days after surgery, when the primary clot releases.

Keep these guys in your prayers. They were told they had to be in separate rooms after the surgery which they weren't too thrilled about...apparently Texas Childrens doesn't have double rooms, sad day. They're required to 'stay still' for 10 days, which could be an interesting task.

Precious Baby Will

his boots with the fur

A few pictures...

These images are really grainy, which is unfortunate, but I did not feel like taking my big camera into the city for the day, but I will soon, and then you'll wish I hadn't! ha.


The Lincoln Memorial
Proof that I really did go into the city...my first picture as a 'non-tourist'

The next three are from the Celine Dion Concert...

I put on my big girl panties and dealt with it....

Today marked a new era in my life. I marched out into the big city, all on my own...with a few hiccups but all in all pretty smooth.

Rob & Sharla had been encouraging me all week to just take the car and drive around, yet - I on the other hand was not too sure about that! The idea sounded good, but the actual going through with it didn't....until today.

Today brought many new things.

Today, I ventured into Washington, D.C., using the Metro (the public transit system.) Half-scared, of course.

I drove from the house to the Metro Stop, and as I arrive...I see the Metro, coming and going, but having NO idea how to get into the Metro... I was thinking, oh perfect...I'm not going to be making it into D.C. today, just perfect, and I'm going to be late to church. I see a dark tunnel, but do I really want to go in there??? It's DARK.....well, I walked over and quickly noticed signs for the Metro (which I'm pretty sure if they posted some in the parking lot, it'd be WAY easier.)

I buy my ticket, go through the machines and as I'm going up the escalator, I realize something.

I'm free, to do what I want. Riding up the escalator was like I was being lifted up on wings and suddenly the fear that did exist was gone and I was overcome with the excitement and joy of the adventure the day would hold.

There was something a bit freeing, knowing, that I had to tell no one where I was at or where I was going...No one called me to see "where I was" or "when I was going to be home," it was pretty neat.

I got on the Metro, feeling so comfortable and thinking to myself, this isn't soo bad, and why did I wait so long, but at the same time thinking Sunday was the perfect day to hike out into the unknown.

I was to meet Emily at the Eastern Market Metro stop (way cool area by the way, way cool.) So I paid attention and made it safely to my destination (early even) and waited for her to get there where we proceeded to walk to church. It was fun to see a familiar face. Emily and I both went to Living Hope in College Station and obviously both went to A&M but never knew each other there, so it was exciting to be meeting someone new yet familiar!

Church was good and then we, along with a two other girls, went back to the Marvelous Market for lunch, which is like a little bakery/deli with pre-made sandwiches, soups, etc., and sat there and talked for awhile. After lunch was over, I called David and he came to pick me up, on foot mind you, in fear that I would never make it to his place (which is a relevant fear.)

We met up and took off just about 2. Here again, nice to see a familiar face and someone who's fun to be with. We walks ALL over, literally. From Eastern Market, past the Capitol, stopping at the American History Museum, and going through it, which was really really neat. So fun to see so much history, as well as intriguing, after we finished there we walked down to the Washington Monument to the WWII Memorial then up the White House.

It was super cold to say the least, I couldn't feel my hands and my face was pretty numb, even David admitted it was cold...though I tried really hard not to complain about the cold or the fact that my feet hurt. I'm trying to work on my speech and the things that come out of my mouth and complaining is definitely not edifying...I should be thankful I have shoes to walk in - regardless of whether or not they were not the most comfortable selection.

We made it up to a Starbucks, which was stellar, and had my first Starbucks drink ever that was not during the Christmas season...I'm not too much of a Starbucks goer, but it might be an unfortunate situation that I really enjoyed my White Chocolate Mocha drink tonight, thanks David.

We stayed at Starbucks for quite awhile just talking and warming up (highly important) and before I knew it, it was time for me to go because I was to meet my cousin at 7:30...and well, that was pretty much impossible at this point.

This story wouldn't be complete if I didn't admit to the fact of busting it down the South Metro steps, oh yes, just landed on my butt, it was perfect. Luckily no one was behind us, but we both got a good laugh.

We parted ways at the Metro...and I headed to meet Rachel at a Metro stop and then we headed to Georgetown. We had dinner at Paolo's, which was super yummy, and we had a good time catching up --it'd been awhile since we'd seen each other.

I finally made it back home just around 11, having a full day of lots of adventuring and fun.

I'm starting to like this whole "big city" thing, as well as the public transportation...there is just something about "taking the train" - it's all fun and different, and new still, obviously.

Today gave me a new perspective on being up here.

There is soo much to do, and so much to take in. Even just walking around the city is fun (which I thought I'd never say.)

However, I did learn today that my small little jacket was/is not going to cut the cold temperatures until March...even looking through my closet this morning I was realizing how many short sleeve shirts I have and noticing how many long sleeve tops I'm going to need to acquire. And that's a lot!

Rest well mom & dad, knowing I'm safe at home with an adventure under my belt, that had you been aware of, you would have been calling all day to see if I was still alive. Love you both.

SKYPE

Oh how I love skype.

I love that it can connect people around the world, literally.

I love that I got to talk to one of my best friends who is in Asia.

I love that I got to talk to Jennifer & Eric in Texas! (and see baby Will soon, too)

I love that I got to talk to Kendra (and can't wait to see those kids either)!

I love that the internet is a source and way that we can see people who aren't near but are dear.

It's crazy to think that you're video-chatting with someone who is nowhere near you and it is as clear as day, it makes me happy.

Do you have Skype? If so...Let's Skype! I'd love to see you!!!

Day 4

I'm still alive...although find it hard to post because I don't have a lot to say -so if I repeat myself, I apologize :)

I've been settling in, I think the majority of my clothes are put away thus far.

My pictures are displayed, which I learned quickly to not stare at for too long because tears will soon follow. Don't worry, it's okay to cry. and no, I'm not homesick for those of you wondering.

Charlie is really sweet, he sleeps most of the time and enjoys keeping Rob & Sharla up until around 1 a.m., the going to sleep for the night. Hopefully we'll get his days and nights worked out soon.

It was 19 this morning rising to 35 today, although I'm pretty positive it's warmer up here at 35 than it is in Texas at 35, call me crazy - that's okay.

I'm looking forward to seeing a few people I know up here soon...although it's been nice staying in and getting settled. Soon I will have to make a Target run or something of the sorts. They keep telling me I can take the car whenever, though I'm a bit leery of doing so besides the fact that they have a GPS - I bet I could figure out how to get lost.

OH - so on Tuesday we went furniture shopping at IKEA and I got a dresser, nightstand, couch and chair for my little "pad" upstairs... Well, during the assembling process of the dresser - I was in charge of putting the drawers together, yet on drawer 7, yes, 7 after thinking I had been doing them right...turns out I had been putting them together wrong, go figure - so I had to take them apart and fix them. Only fitting for something that I was assembling. Rob got a good laugh out of this... I told him this would have made a really good Aggie joke.

I'm looking forward to the weekend and getting to go to church with Emily and getting to know her better.

I miss all you Texans, but I'll see you soon.

Have no fear, I am here.

After my exciting plane adventures up to Virginia I finally made it.

Having 2 stops, yet never getting off the plane, I didn't realize how exhausted I was until it was time to wake up this morning!

It's cold here, although, it just feels nice with a heavy jacket on.

I have successfully unpacked all my stuff I brought up here and it might be safe to say I might have brought too many clothes, but you never know!

I've started putting up pictures and little things from home, so it's starting to feel just fine.

Charlie is adorable, he's so tiny. Rob & Sharla are doing great, and absolutely loving being parents.

Flying into Baltimore last night, I've never seen so many people...well I probably have, but not in an airport. D.C. is going to be crazy for the next few days, having 40,000 security personnel here for the Inauguration. (I'll be staying home, rest assured.)

I'll update more later, eventually you'll get pictures, but I haven't even broke out the camera yet - crazy, I know!

One way ticket on an East Bound Plane

Well, the day is here.

So must quicker than I ever imagined.

I'm 99% excited and at least 1 % scared.

I think it's safe to say I'm probably taking too much with me, but what if I got up there and realized I needed something back in Texas? That would be tragic. I called the family I'm working for, telling them my situation, and Rob just kind of laughed, and said, "well, I'm sure when you start going through your stuff you're realize how much you won't need."

It feels weird to think about the fact that I'm getting on a plane tomorrow...with a one way ticket. -----never done that before.

But then again, this is the year for firsts, right?

Cleaning Out, Cleaning Up

As the days narrow down to when I will be leaving...My parents asked me to clean out my bedroom back at home.  My dad wanted to set up my furniture from college in my bedroom in Frankston and move my childhood furniture to another room.  Well, this required A LOT of cleaning out.

Oh the memories that were found in the drawers.

Pictures: childhood, MS, high school, senior year...HS graduation

Sure, some memories were found that were better left forgotten.  It's funny how you can see one picture and suddenly remember everything that was going on in that image.

My Mimi is like that...88 years old today, and yet you show her a picture and she'll tell you everything about it...some things never change.

Items found...

-Furbys? - who thought those were ever a good idea - it actually went off while I was holding it -not sure why the batteries still work - and startled me pretty well.

-Beanie Babies? - oh, I had plenty....if those are ever a hit again I could sell them!

-Old cards (birthday, Easter, Christmas, Valentines, graduation) - reading some of these made me pretty thankful for the wonderful family and friends I have.

While it was neat to go through old momentos, things I once held really special...it's also nice to see that there has been a change in the person who lived here growing up. Both inside and out.

M.O.V.I.N.G.

I realized I have tried this whole blogging thing before, and it didn't fare to well for me, however - since I'm moving...I figured I'd give it a shot again, since I can update lots of people with this!

There is too much to catch you up on from the last time I blogged, so I'll just start with life as of late.

Most of you know that I had planned on staying in College Station after graduation - I liked it there, and felt no real reason to be leaving....and had no desire to. Well, it's funny how our plans never work out like we think they will.

In October, I got the grand idea to google "Nanny Agencies in the USA."  To my surprise, many of these existed.  So I started browsing, prayed about it for awhile, and then started filling out a couple of applications - which are really long by the way.  In the location preference, I put, "no preference" - really having no idea where I'd go - or, if I'd go at all.

You see, as a kid, and currently, I've always just wanted to be a wife/mom, and raise a family and serve my husband.  I absolutely love children, have always been a fan, just never wanted to work in the school system...it just never really appealed to me. So nanny, right?

How nanny agencies work is that, after your application is approved (reference/background checks and the general application) the agency will begin calling you with families who are searching for a nanny - you then have the option to say yes you will work for them or no you will not.  If you say yes...the nanny agency forwards your application, along with many others, to the family.  The family then decides who they will further pursue.  It's pretty much out of your hands whether or not your are called.  

Well, my application for one agency was approved mid-October, and I said yes to the agency on forwarding my application to a family.  I received an email from that family the following week, requesting a phone interview, and that they thought it would take 2 hours at least....(I was thinking, oh my goodness, this could be really good or really bad.)   Needless to say, the phone interview was wonderful, and we talked for over two hours.  They called me back on November 4th, the following week, telling me they wanted to fly me up to meet them to see if this could work.  I was so thrilled, I didn't know what to do. I immediately called my sister, then my parents (who weren't as thrilled as I was, at the time).

The weekend went great, and well, I'm moving up to be their nanny to their newborn baby.   

In between all these lines, however, a lot of emotions ran through.  I mean, for one, was this what the Lord had planned for me, or was this my own desires?  Fairly certain it was Him because I never had ever wanted to move out of Texas...and here I was about to do that.

Things began to work themselves out left and right, better than I could have even attempted to do things which made it pretty clear that I was to leave, and just trust Him- every step of the way.

In the beginning, I was scared, excited, nervous, pretty much everything.  I remember clearly, crying on the phone to someone one night about all of this, and how was I going to be this far away from my family!

Now, 4 days away from leaving Texas... I couldn't be more ready.  I can't wait to get there and to start this portion of my life.  To for once, sort of, be on my own.  I'm sure there are days that will be hard, but surely the good days will way out weigh the hard ones.

I sure don't know what the future holds, or what His purpose is in taking me all the way to Virginia, but the truth is...I don't have to know, and I can rest in that.  

3 1/2 months ago, I had no idea I would be leaving Texas.  I'm finding my wings, and I'm about to take flight.