Whew... what a year

Well the ball has dropped and I am polishing off the last of the champagne in my PJs reflecting on 2008

This year was crazy. It was crazy, weird, exciting, fabulous and depressing all at the same time.

In January, Jared and I were still riding the "newly married" love train and things were great! The end of January he announced that he had been offered a job in Indiana. Being newly married and anxious to seek out new and exciting opportunities we decided to go for it. What did we have to lose... really?

It has proven to be a much more difficult journey than we anticipated, but we have managed it well.

I have no idea what the future holds in 2009 but I know two things: I wanna be happy with my career (whatever it may be) and I want to have children.

That's it. I don't care if we live in Indiana or somewhere else. I desperately want to feel comfortable enough with our careers and financial situation to start a family. And that, is my goal in 2009.

Happy New Year everyone!!!! Make it a great one!

Made it safe and sound

its good to be home

Thanks for all the good thoughts and prayers. I made it safely to Indianapolis on Tuesday evening... although it took me 7 hours when it normally takes 3. The roads were not bad the first part of the trip, but then it started raining and the roads were cold so it started to freeze. I never slid, but could tell it was slick so I took my time. Then they closed down the 465 loop to the west (which is the one I needed) because of ice and wrecks. I white-knuckled it and managed to bite off all my fingernails in those 7 hours, but I made it to the hotel.

My plane trips were great, just minor 10-15 minute delays, nothing big enough to whine about. I got into Charleston and the sun was shining, the Palmetto trees were singing in the breeze and a smiling Marla McClelland was waiting for me at the gate. Ahhh.... perfect!

From there we drove to meet the guys at the warehouse and I was so excited to see Jared I could barely stand it! It had been over a month since we had seen each other and it was so great to hug him and see his face again.

The rest of the week was spent eating (Marla and I cooked breakfast for the guys on Christmas morning and then she made quesadillas that evening), opening presents, having a few drinks and playing games. A laid back and fun time with our friends. Jared and I even got in a little alone time when we went for a nice dinner at Red Lobster and then some browsing around the Aiken Mall.

And, the best part is Jared got me a OU Sooners Championship Bowl Game shirt and an OU beer coozie for Christmas! YES! :)

Overall, it was a grand time until I had to leave Jared behind and then get extremely motion sick on the plane ride from Cincinnati to Indianapolis (we had to circle above Indy for 15 minutes because of thunderstorms and then entire time it was up, down, up down, side to side... ugh). To make matters worse it was a small plane. :(

But *sigh* I am home and I have a purring kitty cat on my lap and all is well. :)

Here are some photos from Christmas. I didn't take very many :( so I apologize for the lack thereof.

Jared and I on Christmas with my new OU shirt on. :)

Miss Marla Louise... soon to be Mrs Marla Kraft. :)

Jeremy will hate me for putting this picture on here :) We are enjoying yet another of Marla's fabulous meals... quesadillas.

I hate Indiana in the winter

I am not happy.

I have to be on a plane in Indianapolis tomorrow morning at 7 a.m.

They are calling for snow, sleet, freezing rain and rain starting at 1 p.m. today clear until 7 p.m. tomorrow night.

I am scared out of my mind of driving 3 hours to Indy.

I put the Indiana State Police's number in my phone, just in case. Those boys give me enough grief at coalition meetings, so they owe me. :)

I have a feeling my tension in my neck will return during this adventure.

It will all be worth it when I can throw my arms around Jared and celebrate Christmas with him.

Pray, pray pray for me if you have a second. Maybe if God hears all of us he will magical clear US 31 South for me. :)

Blog-iversary

i just realized that I missed my blog-iversary!

I have been writing, expressing, story-telling, sharing, venting and crying over the Birk Bulletin for a year now and I have no plans to stop.

What started as a way to keep up with everyone, has become so much more. This year has seen many changes for Jared and I and I am happy to have shared my experiences (both good and bad) with my friends, family and other great bloggers out there.

It's not just about documenting your life and your experiences, but looking at your life and the life of others in new light. Being able to support each other, offer reassurances, and laugh at life's little challenges. It's about old friends catching up and finding new friends that make you wonder how you ever survived without knowing them.

It's about empowering women to speak up and speak out; to talk about things that are sad, frightening, scary and even embarrassing. It's about bragging, in a non-judgemental arena, about your accomplishments and the successes of your family. It's about letting everyone know that they are "not alone" in their struggles and challenges.

I have always been a public person... sometimes I share and talk about my life more than I should. The blogging world has given me the outlet to be ME in an environment that is inviting and supportive. Without the Birk Bulletin, I would not have received the great advice, encouragement, laughter, and support that has guided me through a year of changes. A year of changes that included moving to Indiana, starting a new job, starting my Premier Jewelry business, making new friends, struggles with the housing market, my first year of marriage, and getting older.

I am so grateful for all of you! Thanks for listening, thanks for not passing judgement, thanks for the support and thanks for being some of my best friends.

Merry Christmas!

Whew.... off the hook

i have good news and bad news

Good News: I am not babysitting on Sunday now (Apparently God is letting me know I am not ready, haha)

Bad News: Genevieve has to go to Indianapolis on Monday for testing.

Poor little thing. Stacey called me last night and told me that Genna has had trouble eating and she just didn't think things were right... she has been fussy, and won't eat, etc. So she took her to the doctor and now has to take her to a specialist on Monday to run some tests. They think (and this is me trying to understand what she was saying) but they think it has something to do with her white blood cells telling her body she is allergic to everything, especially sugars. It has some big complicated name. Its not diabetic, but something different. If it turns out to be this, they will have to put her on a special diet and it should help her tremendously! Poor little girl. But, As upset as Stacey was (which I would have been too) at least she will find out soon and be able to get Genna feeling better before Christmas. Send a little prayer up for her if you think about it.

Another prayer request (apparently it is one of those days) is for my friend Misty and her daughter Makenna (they call her BMak). She has been pretty sick and found out yesterday it isn't RSV (thank goodness) but she is getting tubes put in her ears next week. It is a normal procedure, but it is still nerve wracking for Misty and Ryan and I hope everything goes well!

Have a great day everyone! There may another random post later I have lots of thoughts running through my head today :)

Completely Terrified

don't judge because I am "baby-ignorant"

I am babysitting my friend's 5 month old little girl Genevieve on Sunday.

I am terrified.

I love babies and I want one of my own more than anything, but when it comes to particulars like diapers, bottles, naps, spit up, etc... I am a rather ignorant girl. Playing, holding, ooohhhing and aaahhhhing over... I am great at! I have always thought that I will have 9 months to learn it all when I am pregnant. :)

So, you may be asking... Why in the name of Jesus did she trust me to watch her child? Because, in her own words, "Genevieve loves you (which she is right about, the kid adores me) and it may make you reconsider having one of your own right now." HA... thanks a lot Stacey (yes, we have the same name... mine has a lot cooler spelling though).

The little turkey does love me though. I hold her and play with her when I come over to hang out and she laughs and smiles and I just love it. But, being left alone with her for 5-6 hours... AAAAHHHHHH...... I think I have changed, maybe, 1 diaper my whole life! I know, it is pathetic for a married, 27 year old that wants kids so bad. But it is true! I have never made a bottle before and I have no idea what to do except panic when they cry. Any babysitting I have done in the past have been kids over the age of 2 and I was pretty darn good with those kiddos.

Stacey just laughed and told me that I would be just fine, she trusts me and said that she is "one of those mothers that has written out, detailed instructions for everything." GOOD DEAL... cause I will need them!

I know I will be fine I just can't let the little thing know I am nervous and I have to let the motherly instinct (that I know is buried in there somewhere) come out.

Wish me luck folks! :)