Dog Days

Well, these last few weeks have been pretty rough. First Joy was sick for a week then Peyton for a couple of days. I got sick for almost two weeks. Now Joy is sick again!! We thought at first this time she might have the flu since she threw up a few times. She went to the doctor today and he didn't think it was the flu. He told Joy to just drink plenty of fluids and get some rest.

There has been a lot of people sick lately at the seminary. . . like crazy amount of people out sick.

Keep us in your prayers.

-Arnold

Shopping Excursion

We had a pretty good weekend. Me, Arnold, and Peyton went shopping! Well, I'm not sure if you call Walmart "shopping." It's more like trying to work your way through throngs of people as you throw a few things in the buggy then stand in line for one hour. I don't really call that shopping, I call that torture. The fun part of the trip was going to the mall. I got to eat at Chick-Fil-A, and Arnold, as usual, got his disgusting mall Chinese food. Then, after walking around for a little bit, we went to Old Navy where I got three shirts for $3 a piece. Now that's a bargain! On this outing, we went to the Esplanade Mall. We don't usually go there because it's a little further, but they have an awesome room for nursing mothers. So from now on, we will be going to the Esplanade Mall. It's funny what you look for in a mall these days. After a fun time at the mall, we stopped at Sonic and got some icecream. Peyton, by the way, was wonderful the whole trip. She's really starting to enjoying different sights and scenery. It keeps her entertained, and anything that keeps her entertained is worth the effort.

Spoiled

While you're pregnant and even after the baby is born, you get ALL KINDS of advice from ALL KINDS of people. It's pretty funny actually. I would have someone tell me when I was pregnant, "Oh you're carrying low, you're going to have a girl." Five seconds later, I would meet someone in the hallway and they would say, "Ooh, you're carrying high you're going to have a boy." One piece of advice I've been given from several different people since Peyton's birth is, "If you hold the baby a lot you're going to spoil her." I've thought about this notion a lot. I mean, who wants a spoiled baby? But I've concluded that I'm okay with that. She's only going to be a baby for a blip of time, just a tiny slice of her life. I don't think I will ever look back and say, "I wish I would not have held Peyton so much." Granted there are times when I wish she would be content just sitting in her seat and entertaining herself, especially when I'm trying to cook supper, but she loves being held and I love holding her. And by the way, my mom said I was the same way, "you always had to be held and entertained..."(I'm getting payback). So I guess I'm going to "spoil" her for a little bit. Hey, I'm going to have some really toned arms when all this is over!

When the Spirit Moves

I love the moments when you know the Holy Spirit has moved in your life. Here is a good example of something that happened to me yesterday. At work, there is an individual that I have to deal with that is usually pretty cranky and unpleasant. So I was talking to this particular individual on the phone, and I just wanted to say, "Why can't you just be nice for crying out loud!" After hanging up, my first instinct was to find a co-worker and "vent." Isn't that typical though? We always want to find someone to "vent" to, but the venting we do is usually more of a belittling, gossiping, complaining session. So as I walked out of my office, the thought hit me (and this is where the Spirit comes into play)..."why not pray for this individual instead." Whoa! I promptly sat back down in my chair and prayed that this person would experience the joy of the Lord. I love those Spirit moments!

Bananas Foster, Truffles, and Watermelon

Work has been really great for me lately. I know that's kind of an odd statement. Most people hate work. I don't hate it, actually, I like my job. I'll admit that it's very hard to leave Peyton every morning, and that I would love to stay with her. But, if I'm going to have to work, I like the job I have. Last week, my boss told me that she is going to be going to Washington D.C. in a couple of weeks. She teaches two classes, Intro. to Sociology and Social Problems. While she is gone, she asked me if I would like to fill in for her! I was like, "heck yeah!" It's going to be a great opportunity for me, just to see what it's like to teach. I have to admit though, I'm a little nervous. Also this Thursday, our office is going to Cheesecake Bistro to celebrate Stephanie's (co-worker) last week with us. Cheesecake Bistro has incredible food, and I am all about food these days! I'm not sure what happened during pregnancy (and now maybe it's because I'm still nursing Peyton) but I love to eat food, especially good food and any type of sweet. MMM....bananas foster cheesecake....doesn't that sound good!?!!
Last night, I went and ordered my bridesmaid dress for my friend Grandma's (aka Tiffany) wedding. Her wedding isn't until July19, but I am super excited. Grandma has been such a great friend, and I am really happy for her. She deserves a wonderful day. It will also be cool to catch up with friends we haven't seen in a while. I'm ready for July to get here! And guess what the colors of our dresses are.....truffle and watermelon...two wonderful sweet treats! ;)

Why Do You Keep Giving Me This?

Peyton has been eating rice cereal for about a week now. She still can't figure out what to do with the stuff. The way she acts when you feed her is so funny... its as if you were smearing her with gooey rice just to make her dirty. When you give her a spoonful, she will just sit there with her mouth open with an upset look.

School of Nursing

Yesterday was a pretty cool day for me at work. First of all, it was graduation day for 13 of our students. This is the first graduating class since the storm. I know 13 students isn't a lot, but when you start back with only 100 students, it's pretty significant. Second, we are now up to 217 students, which I am very proud of since I am the director of admissions for our campus. The president of William Carey commented on our enrollment to my boss, who then introduced me to him as "being responsible for the large increase in enrollment." :) It feels nice to be recognized for the hard work you put into something. At the same time, this has been a most stressful week for me, but that makes it all worth it!

When It Rains It Pours

This week is one of the busiest weeks ever for me at work. Monday was orientation, which is my deal at work, then I had to come back to work that night to finish up some stuff. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are busy registration days for new students. Tuesday Arnold is flying out of New ORleans and will be gone until Wednesday. Wednesday I have to pick him up from the airport. Friday is a brunch for graduation and then the graduation ceremony that night. Saturday I have to go to a college fair with work. Sunday I am filling in for the pianist at church, which means I REALLY need to practice! The apartment is a wreck. The laundry is piling up. Busy, busy, busy! So what would happen? Well, Monday morning I wake up with a sore throat and a general feeling of yuckiness. Why does it always happen like this? And tonight I will be by myself with Peyton, which I'm a little concerned about because Arnold does such a good job of putting her to sleep at night, and patting her down when she cries in the AM hours. And it's raining outside.

Peyton's First Bowl of Cereal

 
 
 

Piano Lessons

 

Wednesday is Bath Night

Well, Janna has gone back home, and the house is a little more quiet, and a lot more clean! :) We had a great time last week, at least I did. I hope she did too. I actually got to go see a chick flick (27 Dresses). Arnold and I used to go to the movies ALL the time because it's one of Arnold's favorite things to do. Anyway, we saw 27 Dresses, went to the Riverwalk Mall, took the ferry across the Mississippi, went to the French Quarter, went to two parades, and watched a few movies at home. It's always so nice to hang out with family because you don't have to entertain them. The weather was great too. It was eighty degrees here several days last week! Janna totally spoiled Peyton though. Now she no longer wants to sit by herself in her bouncy seat, she wants someone to sit there with her and entertain her. Thanks Janna! ;) PS-Keri wish you could have been here too.

Mardi Gras Queen

Janna Banana

After eating all of our food, keeping us up all night and staying for free, Janna Banana is finally headed back to South Carolina today.

Endymion

Mardi Gras

Joy and her sister Janna


Jackson Square in the French Quarter



French Quarter home... Joy and Janna went out today trying to find Brad Pitt's home