Archive for August, 2008

On the obsessive front

Remember waaaay back in February when I said I was starting a new knitting project but couldn’t tell you what it was yet?  Well I can tell now.  It’s a baby sweater for my cousin’s new son, Ethan Hudson, born July 28.  I meant to announce that because I am very excited about new babies but the wedding was, oh, less than a week away so nothing got announced (besides my lack of sanity).  But yes, indeed, he is here.  There was some doubt about his gender as his mom and dad opted not to find out before he arrived, but I KNEW he would be a boy and I was right.  It feels good to be right.  So really choosing green yarn wasn’t a mistake!
Anyhoo, I took some pictures in order to post on this cool knitting/crochet site I’ve joined http://www.ravelry.com and thought I’d share them with you guys as well.  I had such fun knitting this because the sweater is SO tiny and soft and the babies in the book are the most adorable things!  Maybe I will stick to knitting baby sweaters forever. 

the whole (tiny) thing, buttons and all.  I think it looks like a bitty professor’s sweater.

button details

sleeve buttons too!

Hopefully I’ll get to post some pictures of Ethan actually wearing the sweater!  Or just of Ethan!

LOVE!

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GREAT NEWS!

Okay I realize I am slightly ridiculous when I receive good news, I have adverse reactions and absolutely CANNOT wait ONE second to tell the whole world. I got my news at 3:30 this afternoon and after contacting first immediate family (which now includes Kaitlyn, YAY), plus Cecilia then e-mailing the rest of my family and friends and THEN e-mailing my JBU professors, I declared it on facebook. And now I am declaring it on xanga.

I GOT INTO NURSING SCHOOL!!!!!!!

The admissions lady from William Jewell called me and I could barely respond. As soon as I hung up the phone I burst into tears and most likely looked as if someone had just told me my dog died. Mom was sitting across from me, crying as well, of course (that’s how we roll in this family). She already knew of course, because she’s a mom and she prays, so I didn’t really have to tell her what was up. Which was good because it wasn’t so easy to talk at that moment. I can’t really explain why I was overcome, but I’ll try. Really? This is my dream come true, the biggest answered prayer for me and my future. I wanted so badly into THIS particular program, it seemed so right and was such a good fit. But I didn’t know if they’d like me, if I was smart enough, if they thought I had what it takes. So I really didn’t know what to expect. BUT THEY DO LIKE ME, THINK I’M SMART ENOUGH AND THINK I HAVE WHAT IT TAKES! I’m SO excited to start!! This is what it feels like when your dreams come true. And I haven’t even started the program yet.
The Lord IS SO GOOD. He blesses me beyond measure! Praise be to Him!!

LOVE!

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see this plate? it’s full

Here is what’s up people: or ; I enrolled (late) for 2 classes, plus a lab, this morning at Kansas City Kansas Community College. Thankfully I will be taking these classes online. I am taking pharmacology and physiology with lab. I definitely took physiology at JBU but it was “animal physiology” not “human physiology”. Seriously? Humans ARE animals, therefore it SHOULD transfer to whatever accelerated program I get into, don’t you think? Whatever, I’m taking it again and I’m guessing it’ll be, oh, 100 times easier through community college. All my excitement about having class and reading assignments again came to a SCREECHING halt when I remembered how expensive everything is, especially those darn books. Honestly, science majors have it the worst and please don’t argue this point with me. Every year we spent A LOT of money on books we would come to loathe. Next time you think you have the most expensive major, walk into a campus bookstore and pick up a cell biology book, flip through it and get back to me. NO ONE wants to buy that book, especially for over $100.
But I digress.
I’m also trying to attain a volunteer position at the local hospital. I am very much looking forward to this but apparently it requires time, who knew? It will be time well spent I am sure.
I have two nannying jobs, both of which are part-time and yet I still don’t seem to have enough money. Thus I am looking for a third job but refuse to apply to the Starbucks in Price Chopper so don’t try to convince me. But I’m liking the jobs, the kids I am watching are the same age so I am learning a lot about 11-month-olds.
I’m trying to get my butt in gear to put together my Walk for PKD website so I can start begging people for money. I will definitely post the link here once I’m done!
So yes, I am busy, about to get busier, but I enjoy busy, it leaves no room for idle and useless. This entry wasn’t a big complaint, so don’t think that it is. I’m blessed to have things to do and people to help!

LOVE!

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Let’s play a little game

It’s called “Guess What this Wedding Gift Is” and you don’t win anything other than the satisfaction of helping out my family!
Here are two photos for you.

This is a photo from above

Here is a photo from the side

Of course we are merely assuming that this serves a purpose. The top clips into the bottom so that is what lead to our assumption.
So please HELP!

LOVE!

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From the desk of Mrs. Ryan Lochte

Hey y’all. I’ve been a tad behind on the blogging. I don’t really know what’s going on with that. There has been SO much change in the last month that I suppose I am still reeling from it all. My brother is a married man. He has a wife. How weird. He drove up yesterday to collect some items from his room and go out to lunch with me (aw). I watched as he packed up stuff and realized I’ve started thinking of him as older, like say 30. Just because he’s married. He’s still 23 though. He can’t stop smiling, I think marriage is agreeing with him! What’s not to agree with, it’s been almost 2 weeks, and one of those weeks was spent entirely at a resort in Mexico?!? Marriage sounds SUPER to me! Though I know I’m not truly ready for that yet, well maybe the resort part.

Today I tested/interviewed for a position in William Jewell’s accelerated-bachelor of science in nursing program. I suppose I should have let you guys know because I can definitely always use prayers. Honestly I made the appointment on Monday and didn’t find (or make) the time to let people know and then suddenly it was time to go. I don’t even think I told C until this morning. All went well though. The testing was to determine my reading comprehension and knowledge of such things as grammar and punctuation. I wasn’t really sweating this, to tell you the truth. Though I’m far from being an expert on these subjects, I do my fair share of reading and believe I have an above-average appreciation for grammar and punctuation. Of course there is my never-ending confusion over when to use “laid” instead of “lied”, but I consider that a rather difficult issue. I’m ahead of the game by merely recognizing there IS a difference. (I realize I am sounding quite puffed up at this point, just wait). I started the testing a bit late due to a recently acquired and devoured cinnamon dolce latte (I needed to stay awake!) and quite a bit of water consumption (it’s what I do when I’m nervous!), which combined caused me to need to the restroom. I found the test to be relatively simple but was a tad shocked when I saw the results at the end. I am so embarassed that I can’t even tell you what I scored on sentence structure. Let’s just say it was the equivalent of the letter grade F-. Sentence structure?!? I sure hope that’s not a deal breaker in the nursing biz. I assure you I shall be brushing up on the structuring of my sentences. Thankfully that score didn’t bring the whole score down too much.
All that to say I’m waiting to hear about whether I’ve been accepted into this program. It is my dearest wish that I am accepted, but I’ve learned to dearly wish God’s will above all things. What He has for me will be best!!

Also I’ve been fervently searching for a job. Nannying is the route I’m hoping to go as it provides the most monetarily as far as jobs I am skilled for. While a full-time job would be great, I’m also starting to wonder if maybe temporary jobs would be better. Work around my own schedule, what a luxury! Especially since I am planning on visiting D.C. in the next couple of months, Arkansas for JBU’s Homecoming, Colorado Springs for Thanksgiving and, of course, Sanibel for Christmas! It’d be nice to just not arrange jobs for those days instead of telling an employer that I need to take off 30 days in the 120. We shall see. The good news is that I have some employment for the next couple of weeks.

Okay I’ve held or not held your attention for long enough! I’ll try to blog more often.

LOVE!

ps Michael Phelps might be “all the rage” but Ryan Lochte is the champion of my heart…so CUTE!

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Recovery, etc

Now that I have sufficiently relaxed at the Lake for 5 glorious days I feel it is time to say hello to y’all again. So hey.
I’m still thinking about the wedding and whatnot. For months beforehand I was worried about this big change and all it implied. The weeks before were high in tension and stress and therefore very emotional for me. So I didn’t know how I would feel during the wedding or after the wedding. I knew it would be wonderful to see so many of those who are near and dear to me, to have both sides of the family in one place at one time. I knew the reception would be a HUGE party with lots of fun to be had. But the part involving big change and LOTS of little changes? Not so sure about that. It really seems like he was 16 just yesterday. I was never hesitant about Kaitlyn becoming part of our family, in reality, she’s been a part of our family for 5 years, now it’s merely official!
I can honestly say that I am thrilled about all of it, and was extremely excited the day of the wedding. I chose to focus on the FIRSTS ahead of us all instead of the LASTS (last time Alex’s toothbrush would be in our bathroom, etc). I guess I was thinking of this as a big goodbye but really it’s a ginormous hello. Did I still cry like a big baby? Of course. I must be true to my “crying bridesmaid” identity. I have never seen my brother so happy and how can I not be happy about that? To know that he has found the love of his life, the one person God has chosen for him to spend the rest of his life with is priceless. Kaitlyn looked absolutely breathtaking and blew me away with her calm and peaceful air. Alex looked elated and joyous all day. The reception was CRAZY fun!
I have a few more pictures to share with you, hope that’s okay with you!

Merely minutes after becoming Mr. and Mrs.

My cousin, Andy and me (my shoes were KILLING me at this point)

That’s about it for now!

LOVE!

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It was beautiful!

It went by in a flash. I can’t really formulate any coherent thoughts at the moment so I will just say that everyone is gloriously happy and blissful!

Here are a few photos for your enjoyment!

the church the night of the rehearsal

The first dance as a married couple

Our family (minus Opa)

All the girls!

LOVE!

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