It's Been Awile

It has been a long time since I've made any reminiscing on here. Not sure if too much has gone on or not enough.
We've lived in Virginia for 4 months now. We've made some changes to the house, new floors, and I don't have so many brown walls any more. I'll get some pics up later.

We have done some exciting things. We went to Disney World last week. I highly recommend Epcot! It is very, very cool. Disneyland is better than the Magic Kingdom, except for Cindy's Castle. It looked like it was rolled in diamond dust with the lights on.

Disney Hollywood Studios was a blast as well. It was because Josh, my step-son, won the Golden ticket from the "American Idol Experience It was JUST like and American idol show. The golden ticket lets him pass all the thousand of people vying for a spot to sing in front of Simon. He gets to sing in for the last "audition" right before Simon, 12 executive producers. It was VERY exciting! His name is Josh Gilder! He won't be on the next season because they've already got those contestents. He starts his process in July. I've never watched American Idol but I will now! He sang the song "Walking in Memphis" by Marc Cohn. He had didn't even know the words before he sang it. Out of the 2600 votes for the 7 contests he received 1800. It wasn't something we knew was there, but we lost a visa card and had time to kill while we found it and he went and just did it. I am so proud of him!


We also took Josh and his wife to DC. the only thing I can say is The Lincoln Memorial was Awe inspiring!
oh and don't drive yourself. It took us 3, yep three hours to find a parking spot. Needless to say we didn't get to do as much as we wanted to. We happened to go there on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. It was very......(Kiera would have a great word to put here) Humbling. If any one wants to come for a visit we are more than happy to take you to DC! I also went ALL the way up the Washington Monument. 550+ feet in the air. That's what it feels like looking up at it. Another awesome experience! We didn't get to the Smithsonian, Botanical Gardens,or Jefferson Monument, and so many others. It's only 3 hours away from us, but next time I think we'll be taking the train.
We have rooms w/beds in them so we are ready for visitors. Josh and Erica were here for 2 weeks (1 week was in Disney World) It was a lot of fun. We still haven't seen anything around here in Virginia yet. So there's ton's to do. We have made a commitment to start taking 1 weekend a month and seeing the sights around us.
I'm going to go to the other computer and upload some pics, because there is some good ones.
I do keep updated on Facebook better than here and it's easier to have more Pics on it. I'm under Becky Wartena Power it you want to be my "friend" teehee.

Our New Home

Jeff took so many pictures of the house we hope to buy in Virginia I'm just adding a link to my photobucket album so all of you can look at it and give me some advice on colors! They got a GREAT deal on brown paint!!!
http://s485.photobucket.com/albums/rr220/bpowerful2/?albumview=slideshow

EASTWARD HO!!!

Jeff got a job in Virgina. He will be working in Norfolk, Va. He leaves June 21 Elizabeth and I will join him late August/early September. That's about when I should be getting my RDH license. I also have a my 20 year class reunion Aug. 14th.
His job is for 2 years so will be there at least that long so if anyone wants to visit we will be there! My license fortunately transfers to Virginia pretty painlessly. I don't have to take any more major tests!!! They except everything I've done here.
I'm sad about moving from here but, really excited to delve into American History! Also I here the 2nd top rated amusement park is around 2 hours away! I think season tickets will be in the budget! Also those of you SCUBA divers there is a whole bunch of wrecks to dive!
So Suzanne can we stay with you on our way there? =0)

Pinning Ceremony

I'm having my pinning ceremony June 12 at 7:00 pm at the Irving Grange on Irvington road. I would love to have anyone that wants to come to come. There is no cost to you! This is a ceremony just for us Dental Hygienists; so no long boring graduation with unknown type degrees LOL. This is just a FYI not an obligation. However I would love to have the largest crowd there (wink wink) Who ever comes early we can have a lunch/supper BBQ at my house before hand. At the ceremony we are serving cake and punch.

I PASSED!!!

I PASSED MY NATIONAL DENTAL HYGIENE BOARD EXAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LET'S CELEBRATE!!

The Piece de la Resistance!

I wanted every one to be able to see the "process" before I showed her Masterpiece!

And now the artist with her work!

Let's Paint!

This is what happens when you've been sick and the only cartoons are on PBS and when the cartoons are over there's a bunch of "Happy" painting shows. It also helps that your mom has an easel and canvas she's been to afraid to actually paint with.

Misc. Updates with photos

They Look So Tasty!

Can I have Just One?

There's So Many, You Wouldn't Miss One.

Our Sick Little girl.

The Cats Really Like Our Sick Little Girl.

This has been the scene for six days.
It really sucks being sick, but at least she's got a fuzzy kitty that likes to cuddle.

Jeff's Been Working Hard

We Have Windows on the Power Princess Palace!

The Power Princess' already enjoying their new digs!

Chicken Castle

Chicken coop just doesn't do it justice! I've been told for it to be a true castle I need to add a turret or a mote. Well with the rain around here I think I'll at least get a seasonal mote ;0) The turret now.....don't tempt me! Here's pics so you can see for yourself. It's 8x8x12 with a 4x5.5 covered porch. My house doesn't even have a covered porch! LOL


























Here's a few pics of the chicken castle's new residents 4 buff orpingtons and 4 black australorps

How much do I loathe writing papers let me count the ways!!!

I'm in school to be a Dental Hygienist! I just want to make that clear!! So why all the @#*%!!! papers. I had to write one today that took ALL day and I didn't learn anything new are relearn anything old!!! APA, MLA, TNT!! I'd like to write in TNT format please!!!! I'm not a lit major, nor am I majoring in English or a screenwriter for that matter. I will be providing periodontal therapy!!!! working with my hands yes but not at a typewriter!!! so far in my education I strategically pick "writing" classes with very little writing! Did I tell you I completely wasted my day writing a paper! It will not help me pass any of my board test. Oh and I have at least THREE more papers to write. My national board exam is April 3. all our teachers keep saying we need to focus on boards THEN STOP ASSIGNING BOGUS PAPERS!!!!! I realize these are just hoops I have to jump through but PALEESE!! Okay so now I vented I feel slightly better; until the next paper. That would be Saturdays fun!!!!

Not a fun post but ...

Ok here's what's been going on. This isn't a fun happy post just what has happened over the last 2 months.
It all started on New Years Eve. My father-in-law went to the hospital with problems related to COPD. He was in and out of the Hospital 3 or 4 times. He died on Jan 24th. During this time we found out about Mom's "ornery" kidneys. (I don't need to talk about that)
February got here, Yay a new month, I got the flu. I got to be supine for 2 days, but that wasn't enough. To Jeff's delight ;) I lost my voice for a week. By the end of the week he was missing my voice, he didn't like being my receptionist. He had to call and confirm all my patients for me. Showed him to enjoy my voicelessness.
The worst part of the last two months happened on Jan. 21; my neighbor took his own life. He hung himself not 50 yards form our house. I was there comforting his widow form the time they pronounced him till an hour or so after they finally took him down. He was one of Jeff's close friends. He was over at our house the evening before. It's been a hard thing to wrap our minds around.
Another thing, less than a week after the neighbor stuff Jeff comes home and announces He could be redeploying in as little as 2 weeks. It could be as long as June, and he'll probably be stationed in California, but once the military has you they can send you anywhere.
During these trying 2 months I've also been in school, setting up times to take my boards, studding for test, boards and writing papers. Enough is Enough already!
So March is now here and so far so good. If anyone else has anything tragic that is going to happen and you need me to be involved PLEASE wait till after June 23rd. that will be the last day possible for anything related to school!!
All this has not been in vain however, I'm really appreciating every day, minute, hour I have. I am not going to be idle in my life anymore. I will live my life and work hard at seeing the best possible outcome in any situation I may come across. I know I have things I HAVE to do (like finish school) but I will take a minute here and there and savor what Heavenly Father has given me. And when I have more time I'm not going to take it for granted I will do things that will better me, my family and friends. The lord gives us nothing we cannot handle. And I truly believe in that.
One more thing my 20th class reunion is coming up I've got 30+ to loose, with all the stress form school it ain't coming off; any suggestions!

The said promised pictures!

Missing tooth

Our little hockey Player!

Fifth place in Showmanship!!
gotta love purple!

she really is there just look at the screen closely =)

UPDATE!!!

No I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, that would be a lot funner though. I have been nose deep in school. I have 20 weeks left and the race is on!
A few things to mention.
Elizabeth is in the market for 2 front teeth. I have a picture of the first one gone; but, the second one came out at Aunty Kara's. I'll get a picture of the toothless grin soon. The other teeth are already making their debut.
Elizabeth got 5th place in Showmanship at the latest pony club show! It was GREAT!
I spent the weekend at a Board Review session and feel much better about my chances of actually becoming a Hygienist.
Jeff had knee surgery last week. He's doing fine. All they sent him home with was an ace bandage! I guess the military is running out of money.
Zazu has a giant new bird cage. Jeff couldn't pass up the great deal on craigslist. It's so big that Elizabeth can stand upright in it! and Sit crossed legged on the bottom w/plenty of room.
gotta go and finish cleaning the house for a study session I'm having today.
TATA

I'm Back!

Well I took a few weeks off knowing that I'd be at the computer more than I'd like soon enough.
I was right!
I'm in the schools library now getting ready to study. I wanted to up date the blog before so I could focus; that's what I'm telling myself, lol
Christmas went w/o a hitch, we were all good girls and boy. Spent New Years w/some friends playing games and laughing.
Elizabeth is back to pony club.
Jeff still isn't working. His knee surgery got postponed do to the snow. It's rescheduled for the 20th of January. Then He's going to hit the Alaska job market hard.
I have less than 6 months till I'm DONE!!!! 22.5 weeks to be exact. but I'm not counting =)
Nothing else exciting to report on so I'll stop procrastinating and get to studiing.
TaTa

More Snow Blogs!!

It snowed here again last night, and off and on today.
This snow is good enough for snow building; the last snow was too powdery.
So E and I went-a-building.
Meow!!!
Jeff comes home tonight around 5pm (if his flight is on time)

Snow Angel!!

My little snow angel in the flesh.
it would be nice to have a white Christmas; I can't recall one here from 1970 till now, or should I say 2007 :)

Elizabeth wrote "I LOVE YOU" with her feet! She's so CUTE!!!

I'll try this again

Well I tried this last night and it was all going great...till it wasn't!


I had great plans for this week of peace and QUIET. You see, Jeff is in Wa. for something Navy. He was talking in numbers and letters....and Elizabeth was going to be in school. I had grand visions of lounging on the couch w/some kittens watching movies and napping, but most of all Quiet! Just me and the animals, aahhh.
Yea the weather made other plans! Elizabeth is off of school, day 3 now. There's another storm heading our way tonight, freezing rain and snow, so I'm not expecting school tomorrow either.
I had a friends daughter over last night and now they are playing Narnia on the X-box. at least I'm not needed for entertainment!
Jeff will be home on Friday and that is Elizabeth's last day of school for Christmas break, which it really doesn't look like she's going to go at all this week.
So far all the animals are doing OK. The chickens don't like coming out of their coup (greenhouse) they only make it to the part of the back yard that has no snow. My old cats that have been rebelling against all the new kittens but now they have decided that the kittens aren't too bad when the house is so nice and WARM. The fire hasn't gone out for 5 day now and I don't plan on letting it go out! I've had no major problems and I made a big pot of 13 bean soup and we have plenty of Hot Cocoa so we are hunkered down waiting for it to pass!

I'M DONE FOR THE TERM!!!!!

NOW WE MUST DO THE DANCE OF JOY

This had to be deleted

as it was a non-functioning blog it had to go.

Primary Program

My how they grow!!
I almost made it through the whole thing without crying. But start to sing the last song "Thank thee O God for a Prophet" and I start choking up.
Elizabeth had one line "My favorite story of Jesus is when Jesus blesses the children... suffer little children and come unto me."
She did GREAT!! Last year she spent the whole time backwards in her seat and didn't sing any of the songs or say her line. So this year was a great improvement!!
She gives her first talk next week.

Some of you may not think that the Primary Program is all that important to the big scheme of things. It's just cute and gives them the practice and experience to speak in front of people. It was last years P.P. that made it possible for me to bring Elizabeth to church every Sunday. Before I could only take E with me when Jeff wasn't home. He came to her program, and yes I thought "Oh No, he'll never let me take her now," she sat backwards the whole time. But, something spoke to his heart and I've brought her ever since.