Sister Update

For any of you that were wondering, Morgan has arrived in Rome. Here is a brief update in photos I snagged off her latest Facebook posting:

 She's here! (So cute and excited.)

 Lovely view off her apartment terrace

 She can see the Vatican in the distance

 Her bathroom is...interesting. The shower has no curtain, and it has a hand held shower she will have to use to, well shower with. There is also a washing machine in the top, left corner next to the sink. Oh and a bideu! (If you don't know what that is you can google that one yourself.)

I miss you already sissy, but most of all I hope you are having a fabulous time so far. I also hope as I type this you are sleeping and getting yourself adjusted to Roman time! Ciao Bella and love you!!

WILW

There are four things that I'm loving on this crazy, beautiful, a little ugly, and exciting Wednesday....

1. I am loving the fact that my loved ones were kept safe and and our homes were not damaged. This morning grew quite scary for awhile as the Kansas City Metro area was hit with several storm cells and a couple tornado touchdowns. The hubby was hunkered down at his office texting me reports as my mom and I were at the airport sending my sister off. We even had sirens at the airport for a little while. There was a touchdown really close to my parent's house (thankfully my Dad was out of town), so needless to say we were a nervous wreck and hoping that my sister would still be able to fly out. The worst was that the same storm continued to go across Missouri, and the city of Sedalia was hit with an F2 or F3 tornado...so scary!! After the storm passed, the sky turned bright blue with big white clouds. And that is Kansas weather for you folks.

Mom texted friends and co-workers as we waited for M to take off. We had to rescue H from the car!

 Spooky clouds near my house

 Downtown KC

2. I am officially on summer break! 8-)

3. As I type this my sister is on her way to Rome. I pray that she has the time of her life as she takes on this adventure meeting new people, learning Italian, and eating a lot of yummy food. 

One last wave good-bye as M was getting ready to board her plane (boo nasty glare from the glass)

 

4. Puppy play dates. The Beagles and the Bostons love each other. Play dates are the best because everyone gets so excited, plays for awhile, and then they are all exhausted the rest of the day. 

Nap time! (Harriet, Gertie, and Giddy up top, Moose on the bottom)

Storms in Life

There are times in life when we go through storms both figuratively and sometimes literally. These are simple reminders that this is not our permanent home. Sometimes Jesus brings us rain. And a lot of times it makes us better people and brings us closer to Him.

My heart and prayers go out to Joplin, Missouri, a city just two hours away from me. On Sunday evening, an F5 tornado went through and destroyed 1/3 of the city. It has really shaken us up as we continue to see devastating footage on the news. People are still missing and many have been left with nothing. Please consider donating money, bloods, or supplies. Here is a fellow blogger's site you can check out for more specifics. Also, many churches are organizing volunteers and have collections for money and supplies. If you don't have a church you can go here.

Many people think those who live in the Midwest are used to tornadoes.  Let me tell you that is definitely false. These types of storms are scary and tornadoes are very unpredictable. Thankfully, I've never actually been in one (though I've hit the basement numerous times in my life) and I've never seen one. And I'd like to keep it that way.

Please send prayers our way and especially Joplin's way as we are all supposed to get hit again with powerful thunderstorms tonight. It has been a humid but somewhat cool day too - perfect tornado weather.
And last I want to leave you with the lyrics to a song I am really loving right now. Like I've said before, music can be so powerful in relieving stress and helping you cope with your emotions. This song takes on a personal meaning for me, and it is also my prayer for those affected by the tornado in Joplin. 

Mercy Me

"Bring The Rain"

I can count a million times
People asking me how I
Can praise You with all that I've gone through
The question just amazes me
Can circumstances possibly
Change who I forever am in You
Maybe since my life was changed
Long before these rainy days
It's never really ever crossed my mind
To turn my back on you, oh Lord
My only shelter from the storm
But instead I draw closer through these times
So I pray

Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain

I am Yours regardless of
The dark clouds that may loom above
Because You are much greater than my pain
You who made a way for me
By suffering Your destiny
So tell me what's a little rain
So I pray

Holy, holy, holy
Is the Lord God Almighty

100 Things About Me - Part Three

I am continuing on with my list of 100 things (much later in the week than planned). Here we go, #51-75.

51. Blogging is sometimes really hard for me and probably takes me twice as long because…I have to proof read and spell check myself over and over and over. Even if there is one little typo, or if the spacing is off, I have to go back and fix it. It’s the English teacher in me. I can’t help it.

52. I am a Christian. I was raised Presbyterian until when we moved back to Kansas City and joined a Methodist church in sixth grade.

53. Although you know about my love for Beagles from here, here, and here, I also love Boston Terriers. Excuse me while I create a post within a post about my BTs. (I am making them #54 and #55.)

I grew up with Buster who was a wedding present for my parents; their first baby. Buster was the best dog that ever lived. Seriously. He went everywhere with us. He was very obedient and so good with my sister and I. He got dressed up, his whiskers cut and nail painted, and was so patient when he was crawled and tugged on by little girls who just loved their puppy. But best of all, he was the best singer and would howl away whenever anyone would sing. He was a hit at Birthday parties. I miss Buster. 

When Buster passed away (I was 12 and it was devastating) we got Harvey. Harvey was a terror of a puppy, but we loved him anyway. He and our female cat Fred (my sister named her) were in love with each other and would snuggle each other all the time. He was also very patient and loving. I nicknamed him Buddy. He was the biggest BT I’ve ever seen – 30 pounds. When he was eight, we got Harriet, and the two were inseparable as mentioned here. (My parents also have Moose, another BT, who is the girls BFF.)

 56. I took French all through middle school and high school which is what got me so passionate about traveling; it was always my dream to go to Paris and practice my French, and I have been so lucky to have gone there twice now. However, I am nowhere near fluent in this beautiful language. 

 57. It is my dream and goal to one day be fluent in another language. After my masters is done I seriously want to take classes to either become fluent in French or Spanish.

58. I want to retire by the beach. I’m not really sure which beach, but I’m not sure I really care either. Any beach will do.

59. Speaking of the beach, I love it. Few things in life are better than sunning yourself, toes in the sand, and a gorgeous view in front of you. However, as much as I love the beach, I am scared to death of the ocean. It is a big deal if I go out past my knees. I guess I am just scared of such a large body of water, powerful waves, and most of all sharks. 

60. Sharks are one of my biggest fears. Two summers ago, the Owens got me to go pretty far out while at Amelia Island. The waves were calm, the water was perfect, and I was so proud of myself. The next day we went out again and as we were slowly coming back in (we were back in shin deep water) we saw a shark. Holy $#@*!! It was so scary and I bolted. Then we followed it (safely on the beach) up and down the shore; we think it was stuck in the tide. Some people in the crowd that soon gathered to watch said they thought it was a 4-6 foot Tiger Shark. I bet you can guess how many times I’ve been out in the ocean (at least that one) since…

61. Speaking of sharks, last summer in the DR, I swam with sharks and sting rays. What?! They were Nurse Sharks (no teeth) so it wasn’t dangerous. We were in an enclosed little area, like a petting zoo in the water, out not too far from shore. In the first area it was fairly deep and there were sharks and sting rays swimming around mostly around the bottom. I majorly disappointed the hubby because I refused to put my head in to look at them. I held his hand tightly with my eyes barely open in fear I’d see one swim by me and silently prayed over and over to not die. ;) I loved the sting ray part of it though, and the hubby and I even got to hold one!

62. Music (like to so many people) is my stress release.

63. I like all types of music from Christian, to rock, to rap, to country. It just depends on my mood, the weather, and how my day has gone. After a hard day I blare my Foo Fighters CD. Then I listen to my Christian music and praise God the day is over. ;)

64.  I hate public speaking, and I get very nervous when I have to do it. 

54. I love decorating my home and finding new and cheap ways to do this.

66. I have one sister, one sister-in-law, and one brother-in-law. 

 Josh, me, Mat, and Morgan (our best man and maid of honor)

 Kati, who just graduated college last weekend! (This is one from HS.)

67. My sister and I are very close even though we are five years apart. We are very protective of each other and usually know what the other is thinking and how she will react. She is much, much braver than me. We always wanted another sibling though, which is why #65 makes me very happy.

 68. Since I already told you my top two fears (the ocean and sharks) I will tell you my third. Snakes. Ugh. I can’t even look at them in books or on TV. Double ugh.

69. Spiders would be #4.

70. I was born on my due date, November 20. (Yesterday was my half birthday!)

71. When I was born, I didn’t cry at all. My mom thought something was wrong, but my dad, who was peaking over the curtain during the c-section assured her I was perfectly healthy.

72. I am cold the majority of the time.

73. I love to read, but it takes me forever most of the time to finish a book because I never seem to have time to just sit down to read a good book.

74. I am a list maker and love post it notes. I am always giving the hubby a to-do list. I am currently working on my summer to-do list and #73 is one of my goals!

75. My in-laws live in Chicago and though I wish they lived closer, I love visiting them and getting to go downtown. It’s a very fun but very windy (and cold!) city.

Good Life

I have recently been obsessing over One Republic's new song "Good Life".

"Oh this has gotta be the good life
This could really be a good life,
A good, good life"

This couldn't be more true right now. There is so much to be happy about. It's May and the weather is changing. It has been sunny and glorious out. It has been a little gloomy and rainy, but it's making everything green and the flowers are in full bloom. (Just ask my allergies.)

Also, I sometimes wake up to this:

Nope, it's not the hubby hogging the bed. Giddy thinks she's a human.

"Sometimes there's airplanes I can' t jump out
Sometimes there's bullshit that don't work now
We are god of stories but please tell me-e-e-e
What there is to complain about" 

At times life is hard and I struggle. It's hard when life doesn't go my way. But really I can't complain because it has all worked out or will work out in the end. God is in control - not me. I can't complain because there is too much good in my life.

"When you're happy like a fool
Let it take you over
When everything is out
You gotta take it in"

I have six and a half days of school left and then some time to relax and re-group (well along with teaching summer school and taking master's classes). I'm ready for a change and a change of pace.

My first summer class begins tomorrow, and guess who just finished the first assignment and first project? Bam! I'm pretty proud right now. 

"I'm taking a mental picture of you now
'Cuz hopelessly
The hope is we have so much to feel good about"

Have I mentioned how much I love this guy? Well, I do. Although our life isn't perfect, it's perfect to me. We are so blessed to have each other, God, and amazing friends, family, and pups. 

We have so much to look forward to. We have a marvelous and busy summer ahead. Bring on the hot sun, pool, family time, evenings out with friends, puppy play dates, and Italy!

Life is Good.

100 Things About Me - Part Two

I've decided to make this a Wednesday tradition. Here are 26-50...

26. I LOVE chicken fingers. I crave them. I have to eat them at least twice a week and they have to have some honey mustard sauce. The best ones are from Nick and Jake's and Chick-fil-a. I think I'll have the hubby pick me some up on his way home from work - quality dinner I tell ya.

27. I am on the quiet side and a woman of few words (much like my grandma) until you really get to know me.  

28. I love alligators. Real, live, gigantic, fat, alligators. Why? I have no idea. I've had several encounters that were probably not the smartest moments in my life, but crikey (oh how I miss Steve Irwin) I had to see 'em. Once was on a spring break trip in Florida with a couple girlfriends. Let's just say I pretty much walked up to the 8-9 foot guy, made kissing noises, startled him (thankfully back into the water) and ran like hell screaming as my friends and I thought we were lunch. The other occasion was feeding a saltwater crocodile (ok not an alligator - I like crocs too I guess) off a porch at a restaurant in Cancun. Hey the waiter brought out the fish and told us it was a touristy thing to do...

 This is a terrible pic of a pic but can you see what looks like a big log between us in the background? Yeah, not a log..

 Gulping down a big fish we just fed to him. :)

29. I am not very brave. If you really know me #28 shocks you. I wouldn't ride roller coasters until I was basically dragged on one in 9th grade. Growing up I was terrible at trying new foods. (I am a little better now though.) I was terrified learning to drive and was literally tricked to get on the freeway so I could finally have some real practice. I am still terrified of driving actually. I think it has to do with being a "worrier". I also get this from my grandma. It is a good and bad quality I guess.

30. I have been to 31 of the 50 states, and it is my dream to someday be able to say I've been to all 50.

31. I have lived in three different states and attended seven different schools K-12. 

32. I love that I have lived all over the country - the South, West coast, and the Midwest. Each place is so unique and makes up my childhood - which makes up me. 

33. The hubby and I literally followed each other around the country growing up. We were both born in Missouri, though I lived in Kansas and he shortly after lived in Ohio for a few months. After that our families moved to L.A where our sisters were both born. Next we lived in Atlanta - 15 minutes a part! We went to the same post office, mall, and even the same church for a little bit. There is a possibility we were in the same Sunday school class. How crazy is that? Finally, I returned to and he moved to Kansas City where we met at Blue Valley High School. And as they say, the rest is history.

34. I could live off of mac-n-cheese. Well, make that chicken fingers and mac-n-cheese. Yes, I promise I'm 26. I have been requesting mac-n-cheese since I can remember and drove my parents nuts always asking to eat it. 

35. I am also obsessed, let me repeat obsessed with ice cream. Don't even get me started. 

Excuse me, I am drooling now. Maybe blogging at 6:00 (dinner time!) isn't such a good idea. No more food comments.

36. I prefer beer over wine.

 New Belgian Brewery in Ft. Collins, CO

37. I hate gardening. This explains the many weeds taking over my yard. I honestly could care less. I know, I know, that is terrible. I just can't help it. My mother (avid gardener) is wincing at this comment.

38. In middle school and high school I was into competitive dancing and joined the drill team. It was a lot of fun even though I wasn't that great at it. 

39. After moving back to Kansas in 5th grade, it was always my dream and goal to get the heck out of Kansas as soon as I graduated. I always thought I would either go to UGA or UCLA for college.  Boy was I wrong.

40. Today, I love Kansas. Yes the weather blows and it can get pretty boring at times, but it is my home and where I belong. (For now at least.)

 

41. I get the travel bug, like all the time, and I have been blessed that I have been able to travel and see so much.

42. I would rather have a smaller house, a not-so-nice car, and a much simpler life if it meant I could travel more. 

43. I am a very patient person (or so I'm told). I guess it's true. However, I have not been a very patient person the past few days weeks with some people (cough, cough students). How's that for contradictions? 

44. I love country music, especially in the summer time.

 Love them! Source

45. Two weeks from today, I will officially be on summer break!

 

46. Two weeks from today my sister flies to Rome. I'm going to miss her!

47. I am a big baseball fan, and so is the hubby which works out quite nicely.

  
48. I hope to someday have a little boy who plays and loves baseball as much as we do. It would be great if he goes to the majors too. Just sayin'...

49. I am working on my master's degree in curriculum and instruction K-12, and if all goes well, I will be graduating in December. 

50. May is probably my favorite month because the weather is fantastic and the excitement of summer is just around the corner! 8-)

Mothers

Tomorrow is Mother's Day, so in honor of this fantastic holiday, I want to tell you a little bit about the mothers in my life.

Cheryl/Mom:
My mom and I have such a good and close relationship. She is the person I talk to the most (besides the hubby of course). We have our daily routine of talking on my way home from work every day to update each other on our daily happenings. My mom is someone who gives great advice and someone who has been there to help me in the best and the worst times in my life. Even better, she is an awesome puppy grandma - even though she claimed the hubby and I were crazy (we were) when we got not one, but two puppies; she (and my dad and sister) supported us and helped us out so much! She is a passionate, caring, outgoing, and strong woman who is so loving to her family, friends, church, and I am so lucky to have her as my mom.

 Mom and me in CO

 ALL her babies

 

 My side of the fam

Donna:

The next mom I want to honor is my amazing mother-in-law. She is fantastic and has been very strong as she and her family have had a difficult move away from their friends and two children (the hubby and I) with the move to Chicago. She is also getting ready to have her baby leave. Josh is graduating high school in just two weeks and moving to KC (with us!) in August; Kati is also graduating from college next weekend! I know this will be a difficult transition and time of change, but she is so strong and can handle anything. She is someone I look up to and admire in the way she lives her life, loves others, and has accepted me as her fourth child. I am also very lucky to have her in my life.

 With her babies in DR

Owens side of the fam

Sharolyn/Grandma:

I also look up to and admire my Grandma Greenough. She married very young and raised THREE boys. Trust me, I've heard many stories, she's amazing!! She now has seven grandchildren (the hubby is the 7th) and is so good to each of us with birthday gifts, calls to check in on us, and amazing holiday celebrations with plenty of food and presents. She is a woman of few words, but her actions speak much louder and we know we are so loved. 

Someday, I will be a (real) mom too. If I can be half the mom of any of these women, I know my children will be so fortunate. God has blessed me with great support and role models. Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, and especially to Mom, Donna, and Grandma!

And for an added bonus, check out this hilarious video called "The Mom Song". It's awesome.

100 Things About Me - Part One

I saw a cute idea here and she got the idea from here so I decided to participate too. So fun. Here are the first 25! 

1. I have always dreamed about living in another country. In middle and high school it was Paris. Today it would be really anywhere in Europe or maybe even Australia. If I had to pick right this second though, I'd say London. 

2. I've been to London twice and loved it both times. The first was a spring break trip in high school, and the second was when I studied abroad for a summer there. I love the accents, the history, the old and the new mixed together, the cars (driving on the wrong side of the road!), the royalty, the busy city feeling, really everything.

3. I've also always dreamed of going on an international mission trip. Maybe to Africa, Haiti, or even China. 

4. I'd love to adopt a baby. Someday. Maybe. It seems like such an emotional roller coaster going through the whole process, but how amazing would it be to give a baby a loving home? 

5. I do not and can not really cook. It is something I am trying to get better at. I've been trying out a few new recipes very slowly over the past couple months, and to my disbelief, they've actually turned out pretty well! I'm pretty proud of myself. I just need the motivation to continue!

6. I am a teacher, and it is my dream/goal to one day return to middle school to teach. 

7. I love working with middle school age kids. I love it even more when people give me the "are you insane?" look when I tell them I have taught, love, and want to return to middle school to teach. 

8. I myself HATED middle school. 

9. I have taught the past two summers at a local JDC. JDC stands for juvenile detention center. AKA jail for adolescents. I will make it three summers this June. It is really fun and exciting in a strange way. It is also sometimes depressing, and I am thankful I get to leave and am able to leave after the school day. And see and feel the sunshine. I'm not sure I'd survive in jail. Good thing I'm a good girl. ;) 

10. I attended Kansas State University. 

11. College was an amazing experience and I often dream about going back. Too bad time traveling hasn't been invented yet. Those were some of the best years of my life. 

12. I was a Delta Delta Delta at KSU and lived in the house three out of the four years. It was also an amazing experience.

13. I started off majoring in Elementary Education, then switched to Nursing before settling on Secondary Education with my emphasis in English. 

14. I often wish I could return to many of those English classes. Crazy professors and all. Now that I myself am teaching similar English lessons, I wish I had paid a lot more attention. Teachers aren't supposed to say things like that...but it's the truth. 

15. Growing up my favorite actor was Arnold Swarchenegger. I was/am my father's daughter. He let me watch a lot of action movies, but don't worry, he would fast forward through the "bad parts". :)

Source

16. Speaking of movies, when I was around four or five, I loved the movie E.T. even though it scared me half to death. I used to scream right along with the actors. Especially when my sister was napping. I'm sure my mom loved that. 

17. Because of the movie E.T. I wanted to name my sister Gertie. My mom wouldn't let me. So 18 years later I named my (furry) baby that. 

18. I love my (furry) baby Gertie. She is very stubborn and gave us quite the run for our money when she was a puppy and trying to be in charge. Now she is still in charge (of her sister), loves to give kisses and snuggle, and enjoys having her belly rubbed. Rub her belly, and she will love you forever.

19. I also love her twin sis Giddy. Giddy has been a "wild child" since the beginning. She is a loud mouth, has to be near me or her dad all the time, also loves to give kisses and snuggle (we call her our little lover), and is crazy about food. She makes me laugh.

20. I am a crazy Beagle lover. The hubby and I had no idea what we were getting ourselves into when we brought home two Beagles. Uh..they are hunting dogs. (We do not hunt.) They are LOUD. (We live in a neighborhood.) BUT, they are the sweetest things and bring so much joy to our lives. There's nothing like coming home to the howling (they are even louder when they get excited) and kisses after a long, hard day. 

21. I like to refer to my dogs like they are people. And my children for that matter. If you don't like it, too bad! ;) 

22. People say I'm the spitting image of my grandma (my dad's mom). I look like her and have the same mannerisms as her. I love that about us even though I always deny it. My dad laughs that sometimes he will talk to her and then later to me and start thinking, wait a second, who am I talking to now? 

23. I'm Irish, German, a little bit Scottish and English, and a tiny bit Native American. I love talking about and learning about where I come from.

24. My husband is a Jayhawk and we have managed to survive four years of dating and three and half years of marriage being rivals. 

25. Blogging is much more fun than going to bed at a decent hour. Even if it means I'll be tired tomorrow. :) 

I am super excited I came up with 25 things about myself. It is harder than it seems! 

To be continued... Nighty night blog world.

Weekend Recap

After an exhausting week, a fun and relaxing weekend was in order. Though it wasn't really relaxing, fun it was. 

As we all know the Royal Wedding was Friday. I woke up at 4:50 and turned on the TV just as Kate entered Westminster Abbey. (Don't worry, I had it all recording on two channels, so I was able to go back several times that afternoon to see anything I missed.) She was gorgeous and the ceremony was beautiful. It was so fun to feel like I was apart of this special day, and it is a day I will forever remember. Here are some of the highlights...

 So pretty and relaxed as she waved and smiled to the crowds.

 Her sister Pippa also looked fabulous!

 Prince Harry making my heart flutter. (Don't worry, I still love my hubby more.)

 

 True Love

Sources: People and OK! Online Magazines 

I am now of course dying to go back to London. (I traveled there my junior year for Spring Break and studied abroad there the summer before student teaching.) I love that city and seeing all the sights was so exciting and brought back memories. All-in-all, it was a wonderful morning and worth being tired all day.

Saturday we went to Lawrence for a charity pub crawl. One of the organizers is the hubby's old co-worker, it's for a great cause, and it's a lot of fun. Too much fun really. Let's just say we're all a little too old for pub crawling anymore.

 Arianna and me at the first stop

 The group (minus me) at our third stop

 the hubby and me

 Arianna and Brett

 The boys - Mat, Dan, Rish, and Brett at our fourth stop

 Dan and Rish wanted to hug the (ugly) Jayhawk along the way..

Our group!

Today was spent sleeping in and finishing up finals and projects for my classes. I have my last classes tomorrow and Tuesday, and then I have a two week break until my first summer class begins. 

I am also on major countdown mode, 16 1/2 days, until school gets out. It's been a rough semester to say the least, and I am in need of some recovery and re-charging time. 

Here's to a good (and much calmer) week!