Waiting in Excitement...and a little Frustration

Here we are! Waiting!!...


...And not in control!


(If you want to see more of the little ones, go to the next post)

Yup, that's right! Even though the pictures are not of me :), it's the way I feel. I'm waiting for that time when I'll be with Matt again, but I'm not in control of when that will be! (Annabeth is figuring out that tongue and those hands) It is looking like sometime between 2 and 3 weeks, Matt will be stateside again!!! I am just...ecstatic and antsy and unproductive! haha Sometimes it is difficult not knowing and not being in control, but we know Who is! Just this morning, I read a wonderful post about waiting in the Lord, "When Waiting is Hard." You can find it over at Seven Matters. She words it very well, and I relate!

I am keeping myself busy, packing away but gladly distracted by any little ones who come around this way. Sunday I leave for our family reunion, and am so excited! I'm riding down with Megan, my cousin Matt's wife, and my cousin Bethany. It's sure to be a fun ride...yes, with country music too Matt (Don't you wish you could enjoy that?)! That will be out in Michigan with as many family members as can come. Dad's one of 10 kids...that means lots of cousins, lots of laughing, and lots of fun! Here are most of the cousins 2 years ago, minus a few unable to be there and at least one not born yet, and minus all spouses of cousins and now their children:


I love my family so much. We always have a great time together, and us girl cousins are like sisters!


Bethany and Chrissy on top, Sarah and I below...they were all bridesmaids in our wedding...and sooo special to me! Of course, my other cousins, and their spouses are special too!

Then I will be spending more time with Chrissy, her husband, Nathan, and Sarah and the rest of Uncle Paul's family out in Indiana. There, I will have some more welcomed distraction, while I wait to hear when Matt is leaving, so I can book my ticket last minute and welcome him home! (That's the plan anyway...to make it in time to welcome him.)

Packing is proving to be ...interesting. I need things for camping at the reunion that I don't need in California and vice versa (not a fan of that term either). And if you know me, you know I'm not a light packer! What can I say? My mom trained me well! Anytime I left the house, and it was like 95 degrees, I was told to bring a sweatshirt because it may get cool. So, I pack for every possible situation rain or shine, snow or desert drought..hehe...though it seems when situations arrive, I still am not quite as prepared as maybe I could've been.

Yes, that does mean blogging will have to take a vacation too. I'm sure many pictures and funny stories will come....and then....I'LL BE WITH MY HUSBAND! That might be when the real break begins, but you never know. I will have lots of free time while he's working. SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!! Now, if I could just know when to book a ticket before the prices get even more outrageous!

*I love you Man! I'll be seeing you soon! :)

today is a significant day

I have to share this! Today is the half way point of this year apart for Matt and I! That is sooooo exciting for me, and for him too I think! 6 months ago today, my husband left home. In 6 months (and actually, there's a possibility it may be sooner, but I can't hold my breath) Matt will be home! Knowing we have half of this down, I can't help but smile. This hasn't gone quickly, and it certainly has not been "easy"; we have lived each day (and sometimes endured them). Throughout it all though, God has been gracious. The other good news is I should be able to see Matt again in July when he's back in California. I can't wait!!

*I love you Man! Thank you for your note today!



I'm holding your place!! We're still together even though we're apart! Till we're together again!!

Wanted:

a new car

a new apartment or a house!

a break and a white horse

My car has been under "inspection" since last Thursday, have been unable to teach, and am still without it (can we say cabin fever?) facing a very big bill.

Our gas and electric bill isn't going down since I've started sending in the readings. Grrr. I was keeping the heat at 62 until the other week I turned it up to 64 (is that unreasonable for upstate NY?) because I just needed a bit more and our basement apartment tends to smell when colder and damp...go figure. Ahh mold!

Ok, I'll settle for a break from all this. Remember those Calgon commercials? Calgon, Take me away!! (That was a common phrase for me when working at the daycare.) Matthew, come take me away!! Umm, in what car?...I don't know, one with 3 wheels? Nah, we're going to ride off into the sunset on a white horse!

Good news: we are down to about 99 days (always a guesstimate...aka Becky countdown) till Matt is back in California...and I'm there too!! Breaking that 100 mark is good news! Also, that means, we are just about half way done with this year! It has almost been 6 months since my Man left home. It's a funny thing to be happy your husband has been gone for a long time...because that means he's coming home!

*I've got my riding boots on Cowboy! I was born ready!



...just because it's a favorite of yours

Secrets?

Ok, you might already know some of these things...but then again, you might not. They're not really secrets, but they're probably not widely known. A look in the life of Becky. Now, where do I start?

I like to write, but this is about all the writing I do these days. I used to keep a journal, but I haven't done that in awhile. Maybe I should write more.
I've never had a cavity, I never had braces, I don't wear glasses/contacts, I've never broken a bone...sometimes, I felt left out as a kid...haha. Now, I am thankful.
I had never been on an airplane until my freshman year of college. We went to nationals for Cross Country in Wisconsin (well, we flew to Chicago and drove to Kenosha). Since then, I've been to more airports than I ever dreamed I would, including that short trip to Hawaii. I really think our round trip flight was longer than our stay.
My first car was a 1993 (right?) Dodge Shadow. I called her Bobbin' Robin. First, the shocks were completely shot, hence the "Bobbin'." (Kind of like the Grapes of Math car from Veggie Tales). The color was bright blue like a Robin's egg...thanks to Bethany, "Robin" was added. It was definitely a little embarrassing as far as the looks go (she kept me humble..haha), but to be honest it was sad to see her go. She frowned till the end too. (umm, after an accident, the front bumper was like an upside down v)
When I was little, I was allergic to misquitos. The allergy came back for a summer several years ago again but has disappeared since. The misquito bites would swell up bigger than bee sting swells and would often get infected really easily. I actually had to take meds when I was at Covenant Acres Camp. I also was the queen of nurse visits at camp. Not a moment went by that I didn't have a bug in my eye, mouth, ears, or nose. Right, Laura? The nurse had to flush one out of my ear...it was crazy! Another tidbit, my dad was on the committee to start Covenant Acres...kinda cool. We used to have a camper there. My older brothers would camp, and Pete and I would stay with Mom and Dad in the camper. That big rubber slide always smelled like goose poop, but it was worth it. Can I get an amen, all you Covenant Acres campers? Oh, a raccoon got into one of the tents one year, and they had to shoot it?? Apparently, a girls' clothes were all bloodied up by the incident, so she had to borrow clothes from girls. She wore a pair of my shorts. I'm sure that's incredibly interesting to you all.
My hair has always been it's natural color...though Chrissy and I tried to color the tips of our hair grey with Grandma's stuff...what was it called? Yes, Shimmering Lights, I think it was!! Oh, I guess I used that spray on hair color stuff that washes out for a cross country meet...so it was green. If I blow dry my hair, you need to stand 3 feet away from me, or you'll be caught in a big fro bush. (Matt, remember that car ride home with the window down? hahaha That's one I won't share). Oh, to have straight hair again...yes, it was pin straight and thin when I was a little girl. I must've eaten too many carrots....that's what my mom always said, carrots will make your hair curl (I tried to avoid them and "lucky" for me, it worked).
My brothers and I would always give my mom a hard time when she called us morons (spelling?). Ok, she would tell us to, "put more on." We would laugh and say, "Mom said, moron." She was always cold, so naturally, we "were" too. I think I finally inherited that gene..the cold one.
I was born on a Friday night around 8:03 in 1983...my brothers wanted to name me Daisy because of course, I was born during their favorite show The Dukes of Hazzard. Daisy ******...now there's nails on a chalkboard. Phew, missed that one. However, my favorite flowers are daisies!
I was the star in a cooking show called "Cooking Witb B", yes, "witb." If you've never seen it, you'll have to go to my parents'. My mom often runs marathon "Cooking Witb B" shows when new people come over, or when Hannah and Abby request it. That was one of the funniest times ever of my childhood, and they were mostly real bloopers.
I like surprises, good surprises, but I often figure them out beforehand...and usually not on purpose! It's a frustration of mine. FRustration, not fustration.
Our first dog, Lady, was killed by coyotes in our backyard. She had an accident in the house, so her punishment was to spend that night outside. This usually solved the problem for awhile because she liked to be with the family. My parents had no idea there were coyotes...I had a hard time warming up to the idea of another dog after that, but Caleb is the best!
I don't like dancing. I'm warming up to it...sort of, only because I'm married to Matt. He really likes to dance, but it just isn't my thing. My family didn't dance. I don't know that they're against it (my mom went to dances in high school)...it just didn't happen. So, school dances weren't a thrill for me, and I didn't go to any till my senior ball. I was convinced (by friends) that I missed a lot at my junior prom, so I caved when I was asked. It wasn't a good experience for me, so I never wanted to dance again until I met my husband...until marriage. I did have a dream though of dancing with God. Since I'm not such a girly girl in that regard it may sound a little odd or cheesey...but it was beautiful. It was like a wedding day, I was wearing white (no, I don't really know what He looked like), but I had no fear or shame or sense of ridiculousness. It was only us. It was kind of like being a child dancing with your father. I know I'm not doing a good job depicting this, but that's ok. You need to have your own dream anyway. It was very moving for me. I was able to experience a glimpse of how He sees me, how He loves me. I sometimes wonder how it's different for guys and girls...like in their love for God. I don't mean for girls it's a romantic love (this was not a worldly type of romantic love dream...let me make that clear), but I don't picture guys having a dream of dancing with God. I do think He shows special times of His love for us in different ways though. Men and women are just created so differently, yet compliment each other...I think that's so neat. So, the first time Matt and I danced together was at home after our wedding. Our first kiss was also the day of our wedding...despite a memorable, "Yeah Right!" from a member of the congregation.
When I was a kid, I was very talkative and didn't mind being the center of attention. I wasn't very shy either. This may be a shocker to most, but it's true. I had my share of needing my seat moved, both at school and Sunday School for talking. Yes, I could've even been seen at the principal's office. I laughed and loved to laugh, but sometimes, I said hurtful things to others or about others...that I sincerely regret. I had a "boyfriend" as early as 4th grade and was headed a bit down the fast lane. Thankfully, as I grew a little older, I realized I needed to be more wise with my words and actions. Sometime in middle school I quieted down and focused more on my relationship with God. I decided no more boyfriends till at least 17, but even then, it had to be someone who would possibly, ultimately, become my husband. I never told anyone this, just between me and God. 17 came and went, college came and almost went, till Matt came along. It was a tough wait at times, and sometimes I wondered if I would ever meet anybody, but I waited for God to send the one He had prepared. He was so worth it! Matt was the first "guy" I ever dated...was in a courting relationship with. I wouldn't change that for anything. He had to work a little for me, but I knew I only wanted a man who would pursue me, not me him. Matt had just the right handshake, looked me in the eye when he talked to me, stood respectfully, spoke with my parents...and he thought I had a boyfriend!...haha...because I was guarded. He told me much later that he walked away from meeting me saying under his breath, "Whoever he is (referring to my "boyfriend"), he's a lucky guy." 4 months later, long after finding out I was indeed single, he had the courage to call.
There are several things Matt owns that I am not particularly fond of, which have become a big joke in this household. First, his favorite pair of orange brown socks. I have no idea where he could've gotten them, unless they're about 40 years old. Second, these huge mink blankets. Third, a pair of white worn out puma shoes, especially when worn with white pants and a white shirt (worn his first Sunday home). I'm no fashion diva, but ohhhh boy. Fourth, "the suit." I thought he was crazy when he came home from the military (the first time) wearing this ugly, ugly shiny suit with faces all over it and a fur coat thing. He had his hair slicked back. Honestly, I was going over in my head how I was going to tell him I changed my mind about "us" after that. He looked like a pompous, rich, pimp? He really likes to see reactions out of people. He got one! Thankfully, he showed up in jeans, a t-shirt and dickies shirt for our first official date...So, another secret, sometimes I smell the Polo Sport cologne he has. I don't believe he has worn it since the day he came home in that suit, but when I smell it with him gone, it reminds me of him. My other favorite scent is his body wash...Dial Spring Rain or something...definitely a favorite of mine.
Matt and I have a special thing about acorns. I saved some from a park that backs up to his house because my family goes there every year...and I had no idea till those first few months we were "talking" that Matt lived so close to the park and liked it to. I almost sent them to him (out to Hawaii) and later learned it was a good thing I didn't because it's illegal to brings seeds from the mainland. So, I put them in a little treasure box for Matt as one of his Christmas presents that first year (he was home by then) with the verse from Isaiah 61: "They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor." I really like the verses about being strong in the Lord, being like trees by water or that bear fruit, and oaks are just so solid. As a wedding gift, I gave him "The Oak Inside the Acorn" by Max Lucado. I embroidered a pillowcase for Matt before he left and there's an acorn on it with that verse from Isaiah referenced. We hope to plant some of those acorns from the park...(we'll see if they grow) when we move into our first house.
105 days left until Matt's back in the states. Of course, that's an estimated countdown because I don't really know, but I need numbers!
Ok, that's probably more than enough for now.

*You make me smile and laugh Man! No, I haven't thrown away your socks! I love you!!

as requested

As I gear up to share some interesting, or not so interesting, tidbits about myself, I will share some words, or phrases or sayings that "irk" me. Hmm, this may be a short one that needs to be added to later.

Well, I already shared, "Home again, home again, jiggity jig." I wonder where that started. I have a feeling it is a pretty old saying. I guess some people have never heard it though...so, I decided to see what happens when I "yahoo" it. First, LOTS of blogs come up (or specific posts), entitled (entitled, not entailed...:) just that. Umm, a homosexual game site came up. That's something that bugs me. When just looking up where a phrase originates, all sorts of terribly inappropriate websites come up. I actually have to tell my doctor about one. She recommended a product for me and said I could just do a search for it, and that it would be there. Not good things came up, so I need to let her know. So those things irk me, but more than irk me. I find it especially annoying since I'm not looking for that stuff, I'm looking for often quite the opposite, but in the process those come up. Anyway, I wasn't able to find an origin. Somebody must've just said it one day and all is history.

There's another one my mom used to say, let's see. I'll remember it sometime.

"There's a millipede or there are a lot of millipedes!" Ok, not what you're looking for, but honestly, I can't stand finding millipedes in our apartment. Also in our house, "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite!"...for real!

One I teased Matt about for awhile was when he said, "We'll keep you in prayers." First of all, I thought it was really cute, but I said, umm, you mean, "We'll keep you in our prayers, or we'll keep you in prayer." Sometimes, the English concentration part of me comes out, but yes, on my blog, sometimes I slip up. I don't edit much here.

I really don't like to call a class "friends." I don't mind saying something like, "One of your friends" referring to a classmate of another student. However, calling the entire class "friends" just sounds cheesy to me. I prefer boys and girls or class, or in my case since I sub, I can say Mrs. so and so's class.

Sidenote: I really like the Amelia Bedelia books, ever since I was little. I think they are just so funny. Apparently the most common sources of idioms are from Shakespeare and the Bible...neat tidbit.

This weekend I was asked for a picture of Matt for his brother's wedding, so a life-size cardboard cut out could be made of him since he can't be there. I don't remember the exact words, but that irked me and hurt me.

Something I learned, when people say, "mind your p's and q's" it came from old English pubs. Apparently, ale was ordered in pints and quarts, so when customers got "unruly," the bartender would say that (mind your pints and quarts...p's and q's). (http://www.panix.com/~acohen/expr.html) So I don't think that's one I would use with my kids, not that I like it anyway. "Mom what are p's and q's?"

"Don't ya know?" is sort of a joke in our family. We say it like an older woman from times past I guess. It's not my favorite, one of those nails on the chalkboard type things for me, but I do laugh almost every time.

Another one is related to the word "at." It doesn't need to be placed at the end of something already stating a ...location I guess. I don't know the lingo. (I don't like the word lingo either...haha). "Where are you at?" At is not necessary. "Where are you?" does the job. Now, I say it sometimes too because I'm around it quite a bit...oh well.

Hmm, April fools!! That's also not a favorite, but I felt the need to say it today.

How about I end with a silly one? When I was little, during Christmas time we would sing, The Drummer Boy or The Little Drummer Boy. I guess I never really saw the words of the song, or I was so little I couldn't read...but this went on for years. I always thought one part of a verse of the song was in another language. "The ox and ram kept time..." I never heard it annunciated in those words, and it was always really choppy...I thought it was something in like Chinese. So, no, this doesn't really irk me. It's pure childhood confusion or misunderstanding. I remember that one year that I learned the truth. I saw it on an overhead while we were singing at church. I just could not stop laughing!! I think about that every Christmas and every time that song is sung or played!

*Love you!! 29 weeks left!!

Growing Pains on the Homefront!

So, I am slowly figuring out that I should've pursued a different occupation...with good training. I received a good education, but I never learned what is truly necessary. I should've been a plummer!!

Oh yes, another joy of dealing with things on my own. My toilet worked fine this morning. I took a shower and what should've been a hot shower that lasts 3 minutes and every 30 seconds I have to progressively turn it hotter and hotter to maintain that nice hot (ok, warm warm) shower. Today, it was all hot! I'm talking boiling potatoes HOT! I had the cold cranked up and could not shake the boiling temperature. Well, finally it was ok, then it turned freezing. So, I was in the shower for 10 minutes without getting clean...because it was too hot or too cold. Grrr. I was finally able to just push through a little bit of a too hot shower rather than a freezing cold one. This didn't feel so good on my cuts from yesterday...umm, I tried shaving with a bent razor (Ok, I dropped it and instead of it breaking like usual, it totally bent, but it was brand new, and I didn't want to waste it)...yeah, not a good idea, especially considering it being brand new!! The water pressure was also not as good as usual. I've seen a gradual decline in this over the past couple months but never wanted to deal with it. Hey, I already used drano because I had some clogged drains. I did a little more getting ready and needed to use the toilet. I did my business. Went to flush it. Clank! I pressed that magic button that makes the water swirl and disappear, but nothing happened! I wasn't feeling the greatest this morning, and this just tipped me over, tipped me over, tipped me over...something. I suppose I can walk around the house with the typical plummer pants style (aka, showing off my plummer's crack), but that's about as far as my abilities go!

We have oven issues, kind of like the shower, it's too hot or too cold, our dishwasher doesn't work, and we don't have much heat because our costs are so outrageous. Yes, I'll be on the phone about that bill too today. I also have a broken mailbox. Well, the door is hanging by a thread, and everytime we get mail, it dangles. Lately, the ice has actually been helping seal it shut! haha

Did I mention we're thinking of renting out our place for a vacation getaway?

I'm also having a few tax issues...umm, involving no access to Matt's military W-2's. Just another headache. It looks like I'm going to have to request an extension until he has access to a computer for real! Do I really know what I'm doing, NOPE! I take my brother's wonderful advice for me when I hated learning to drive: "Just act like you know what you're doing!" (Yes, there are reasons I'm in the passenger seat!) Anyone with experience here, please HELP!!

I never knew that I would be growing this year in quite this way. At least I can laugh about it...ok, sometimes, I can laugh about it...ok, maybe in 20 years, I will look back on this time and laugh about it. All prayers are appreciated!

*I love you Matt! I'm holding down the fort...sort of! 8 months from today!

February 14, 2008...next year will be way better

Today is Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day isn't a huge holiday for me. Let's face it, it's only been the past 2 years that I've had my Special Someone. I'm not opposed to the holiday, it's just not my super favorite. I think it can be a good reminder when life gets so busy to make sure you let your loved one/s know you love them and care. It's also kind of fun. Plus, I like any day that emphasizes chocolate. So, I guess my idea of the day makes it a little easier for me, considering our circumstances.

I did receive my favorite Valentine's Day gift today though...an email from Matt! It had been a week. I was so happy to see it! He's not having the best time...to put it lightly, he's literally working like 20 hour days. I wish I could do something. I wish I could be more. I wish I could give him a good gift. I wish I could massage his neck and shoulders and give him the rest he needs. I'm sure he's exhausted. I have dreams, almost every night, that he surprises me. He comes home for a short leave. Last night, I dreamt I went to see him. Dreams are so weird. You know, everything is so real. I can feel his hugs in my dreams. I really miss those. I can't recreate them in my mind, except for me looking on him hugging "me." So anyway, my prayers are for good rest for Matt for Valentine's Day, and also for a better working environment as a whole.

So what did I do today? I subbed in a 2nd grade classroom and spent the day with super sugar-high 7 year olds. I told them my favorite kind of Valentine Candy is Hershey Kisses, and I received some by the end of the day :) It was fun, but I was ready to go home and relax by the end. I also went out to dinner with Matt's parents at Uno's. It was a special time, and we laughed a lot. I had the buffalo chicken quesadilla. I know, it's supposed to be an appetizer, but it was soo good! So there, I stretched myself by trying something new. I didn't order my same old personal pizza or the potato skin pizza (a delicious choice). It's all about those baby steps...for me and Bill Murray!!

*I love you, Bubba!! Happy Valentine's Day! We're almost down in the 7 month range. Wow, that is huge! 7 months is a lot better than 12!!

1st one

Ok, so where do I even begin? I have so many thoughts. Whoever reads these, if anybody even does, don't look for good organization, or even coherent sentences, in these posts. I'm just gonna spill it.

I guess I'll start with what, "C'mon Becky...," refers to. Chris Rice wrote this song, "Me and Becky", and Matt really likes it. He wanted that to be our first dance song....but it has a bit of a fast tempo for a slow dance. (Don't worry, he found a good replacement..."Everything's Ok" also by Chris Rice. I guess he's a fan, but I like those songs). I'll share more about our first dance another time. Anyway, that song, "Me and Becky" is sort of our theme song for the year. (You'll have to look up the verses if you're not familiar with it. I'm not technilogically advanced enough to know how to insert a weblink without it being 13 lines long yet. You'll have to be patient with me!) It talks about a girl, Becky, haha, who is living a good, Christian life, and is called to more...So, this year we're holding on tight because God is stretching us, alot.

It was not our ideal situation for Matt to be recalled into the military. We got married (December 16, 2006, ahhh, a good day) and were so excited to travel the road ahead of us...together! (Even our cake topper was the Precious Moments in a car..."Roads of Happiness." Matt loves cars!!) We were bound together in covenant and love, 3 strands of cord. We did everything together. Everything! We were together every second we could be. Then bam! We were hit with his "notice" 3 months into marriage. We got more details a month later, and he relocated 6 months after that. We were thankful for the several months we were given before he left, but boy, those were some agonizing months...dread of what lay ahead and some fears of the unknown.

I am trying to be the most supportive and loving wife I can be. (hmmm, maybe a motto for the wives of military...he's not Army, but you get the idea.) But, I'm not gonna lie, this is tough...super tough! We believe God has a plan through all this, but it is sometimes hard to see. Maybe this is one of those patchwork theories at work. We won't really know why these things happen till we can see all the pieces, or times completed, all put together...or maybe it won't be till we get to heaven.

So, lately, I feel like I need more of the other 2 strands of our cord. It's really hard not being able to be near Matt, hear his voice, even receive emails regularly. It stinks! To be completely honest, it's hard on me spiritually too. I know God hasn't left me. I know that in my mind anyway. I know that to be true from Scripture. Sometimes, I think I just try to block my emotions, so I don't have to deal with them, and that eventually leaves me disconnected. I guess sometimes I trust more in my ability to block feelings than in placing my trust in God who can heal my hurts and restore my emotions. Wow, that's not right, and it's convicting. There are certainly times I cry...just to get some out (sadness and even anger), but I don't always deal with it completely. But, then there are times I remember that song, "Me and Becky" and picture Matt singing it to me anytime we were going to go somewhere. I like to hear "Everything's Ok" quite a bit too. Everything will be ok, God is in control.

Last week, I was having a difficult time, feeling especially lonely. I was reading some other people's blogs and then, I clicked on some of their friends' blogs. I'll admit it: I'm nosey. I'm curious. There is something very interesting and intriguing about being able to read other people's thoughts, real-life stuff. This one particular person (if you somehow hear about this, please don't think I'm a stalker! Your post touched me dearly, at a moment in time I needed it so much. I thought about trying to send you a note about how much I was affected, but I chickened out...again, fearful of being viewed as a stalker..maybe sometime I'll get some guts and tell you) had downloaded a quick video of Rob Bell, entitled "Rain." At first, I thought it was sort of weird (it started with weird music and flashes of different pictures). I really didn't know what to expect. I'd never heard of him before. By the end, I was sobbing. The Lord came to me in such an intimate way as I watched and listened. He met me in my lonely, discouraged place and held me. What an amazing God we have who cares enough to reach us through a computer, that had a video, on a blog, of a friend of a friend. I need to watch that clip again.

So, this is a year of learning to trust in the Lord more than I ever have. I'm moving (more often feeling shoved...haha) out of my comfort zone. Yeah, I suppose I'm moving out of the driver's seat in a lot of ways. (That is very ironic since I don't like driving much...that's another story.) "C'mon on Becky let's go for a ride. If I'm driving too fast, then I apologize, but there's a world out there that we've left behind full of souls as important as yours and mine. Looks like a reckless road and a sacrifice, and I'm crazy scared it may cost our lives. But then I remember Jesus died, so c'mon Becky. Let's go for a ride..." (Chris Rice).

*I love you Man! 115 days done, 8 months and 5 days left. Maybe I should look at it like a growing chart!! I guess I need to drink my milk...yuck!!