Signs of the Promise Land

There are a few things that I get excited about when I make the seven and half hour road trip from Pineville to Birmingham. Gas stations with crushed ice fountain drinks, Chick-fil-A that doesn't require me to go into the mall to eat and drive thru STARBUCKS! Amazingly enough Clinton, MS...home of Mississippi College, has all three on one exit. I was also a bit excited by the falling gas prices on this holiday adventure home.

I must share of my funniest travel adventure this go around. Matti is such a great travel companion. She never has to go to the bathroom, she doesn't eat or drink and she doesn't have an opinion about the music we listen to. Really the only time you know she is in the car is when you go over a bridge because it freaks her out. Well I discovered something else that freaks her out...the car wash! I stopped at a gas station and fill up and without thinking pushed the button to purchase a car wash. The minute I got back into the car I knew this was a mistake but wasn't about to waste my money. Needless to say if ever want to cause a dog to have a nervous breakdown put them in the car and take them through the car wash. Matti was happily laying in the back but that quickly turned to pacing the back and hunkering down. She tried to get down behind my seat but when she was unsuccessful she jumped into the floorboard of the front seat and just whined. It was hilarious to watch and the only thing I regret is that I wasn't able to capture it on video. Here are the few pictures I managed to snap.

The calm for the storm...aka the car wash


Matti hunkered down in the back


Matti hunkered down in the floorboard

Adventures in Babysitting

Its been a few days since I have blogged and I realized that with the last entry being "we survived day one" it might appear that we didn't survive day two, three and four. Bailey, Jesse and I are alive and well. I had a blast being fun Aunt Kabes last week. Bailey didn't learn any new vocabulary words which equals success in my book. I was deceived by Elizabeth who told me Jesse would only poop every other day. That kid pooped every other diaper. We managed to get out and run several errands, have several chocolate milkshakes and wash the car. Okay, I didn't wash the car, Quinn did, but while he washed Elizabeth's car Bailey washed her car. It was precious. Here are few pics of our last couple of days before Granny came to get them. I have to admit that about thirty minutes after they were gone I found myself being sad and missing them already. They won my heart over (not that they hadn't prior to this adventure).


Bailey with a mild case of static head


Jesse demonstrating his new word, UP....while eating his mac-n-cheese and five fish sticks!


Jesse playing with tupperware...I lost count of how many times I put it all back up!


Bailey helping make pizza...she is so domestic!


Bailey washing her car

We Survived Day ONE

Just to give you some insight into the title of this entry, my friends Billy and Elizabeth left last night to go to Maui for their five year anniversary. I volunteered to keep their precious kids while they are gone. I have officially taken on the role of fun Aunt Kabes to Bailey (2 1/2) and Jesse (1). Dinner, bath and bedtime went well last night. To ease some tears of the initial shock of mommy and daddy leaving, Bailey got to take a bath in mommy's big tub. She also got the promise of something she loves....a milkshake. After getting to sleep in this morning (sleeping in being 7:30am) we ate breakfast and colored turkey pictures.The first thing Bailey said when she woke me up this morning was "I want a milkshake!" After Jesse woke up from his morning nap we took a trip to Target and to the mall for lunch. Yummy Chic-fil-A! We all had chicken nuggets and fries and then Bailey got her promised milkshake. Apparently they only have one size, which is 20 oz. and she drank the whole thing. After lunch and a stroll around the mall it was time to head home for a nap. Both kiddos slept for two hours so I snagged a nap as well and then we made a quick trip to Michael's to make use of some coupons we found in the paper. After we got home it was dinner time so I cooked a taco ring and refried beans. Surprisingly enough Bailey ate all her dinner. Jesse is always a good eater so it was no shock he ate a whole bowl of beans and a piece of taco ring (we'll probably regret the beans tomorrow!). Now we are just playing before bedtime.

This update is really for Elizabeth's sake so that she can enjoy her vacation having seen evidence that her children are alive and well. I even used my kid filter today so that Bailey didn't learn any new words she shouldn't know. YES! I have a kid filter Elizabeth. The pictures below are just of Bailey but I promise Jesse is still here and kicking. Pictures coming soon of the little guy.




This is Bailey's version of helping set the table. We didn't have 20 dinner guests but if we had there was a plate for all of them.


Bailey enjoying her chocolate milkshake!

ALL IN A DAYS WORK

So you would think that after working in Residence Life for three years that nothing would really surprise me but oh how wrong you would be. These kids never cease to amaze me with the things they come up with. Take for example this past week....I had to confiscate paintball guns because students were shooting at the walls in their rooms and all over their buildings, as well as cars all over campus. Then only two days after that I got a call from maintenance that someone had pooped in the sink in the bathroom. Now why you gotta poop in the sink when there are three fully functional toilets that you had to pass to get to the sink? Gross me out. Even worse was that our poor housekeeper refused to clean it (as she should) but something had to give so Andrew and I put on our rubber gloves and got to the dirty work.

It's not always trouble that catches me off guard...it's the funny things too. For example this Sunday night after our RA meeting we were standing outside the BCM and Sara very calmly asked if Justin and Cody could assist her. I wasn't expecting what came next. Apparently Sara had put her leg through the guard rails and then couldn't get it back out. The guys tried pulling on the bars to give her a little wiggle room but to no avail. You know why they pay me the big bucks? After twenty minutes of Sara being stuck I tried the ole "soap it up" trick and out the leg came. I got a good laugh at Sara's expense. And then there is Eric and Brandon! I love days like today when without planning it they wear similar outfits. Brandon loves it but Eric hates it so he always goes home to change. Eric just needs to realize that they are soul mates and come to grips with it.

All the above reports were documented by the camera on my iPhone so enjoy!

Heartbreaking News

Two years ago this December my friends Marisa and Brandon welcomed a small miracle into their family. Marisa found out early in her pregnancy that baby Taylor had a pretty significant heart defect. Brandon and Marisa named him Gabriel which means strong man of God and he has lived up to his name from day one. Just days after he was born he had the first of three surgeries to repair his heart. Gabe has been a fighter and has done better than any of us could have imagined. Gabe's last surgery would have to be done once he turned three. Sadly, Gabe passed away this morning. He went into cardiac arrest suddenly and unexpectedly while at home with his daddy. Gabe was a precious gift to our family for the two years we got to have him!

Please keep Brandon, Marisa and his little sister, Allie as well as the rest of their extended family and friends in your prayers. I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and the loss they are experiencing right now.





Brandon, Allie and Gabe at Halloween

An Eventful Weekend

We had quite an eventful weekend in our neck of the woods. Friday night we went to Colfax for the Pecan Festival and though there weren't any pecans to be had there certainly was gator on a stick and funnels cakes. We had our fair share of fair food before riding the rides. I will tell you....my equilibrium is not what it used to be. One spinning ride and I was down for the count. Even worse is that I woke up sore the next morning from where my muscles were flexed the whole time I was riding. The joys of getting older.

On Saturday we hosted our annual Dad's Day at Louisiana College. We usually have Dad's Day in the spring but with the opening of our new football stadium we decided to have Dad's Day in the fall with a big tailgate party and a football game. It was also senior day so there was lots to celebrate that day. LC won their game with a final score of 29-7. GO WILDCATS! We are undefeated on our new field and have our first winning season in over forty years.

On Sunday Elizabeth and I joined all the other women in the Pineville/Alexandria area for the Christmas open house hosted by all the boutiques in town. We ended our fun day of adventure with a trip to Chuck E Cheese with Billy, Quinn and the kids. The place was packed for a random Sunday evening but by the time we got finished eating we pretty much had the place to ourself to spend our 5 bazillion tokens that Billy bought.

Yay for a fun (and exhausting weekend). We ended the night with "mouse proofing" my house now that I have caught 10 mice in a weeks time. UGHHH....thanks Billy and Quinn!

Here are some pictures from the football game. You will have to check out Billy and Elizabeth's blog for pictures from the Pecan Festival.



Bailey taking a load off and enjoying life from her stroller.


Jesse enjoying everything but the game


me and the LC mascot, Alex the Wildcat

The List Continued....

I left off at number 36 on my list of things I am thankful for this year so here are the rest:

36. That Alexandria got a sushi restaurant.
37. That I got a window unit A/C when the apartments were without air for two weeks.
38. That I survived a fall down the stairs with only a minor concussion. (Amy and I will never forget that night)
39. That I finally found a church here that I can call home.
40. That I found a great vet in Pineville....yay Dr. Pilat!
41. That God brought Dr. Tavers to LC.
42. That I got to meet Barbara Bush.
43. That my answers his phone laughing when I call him because of the ring tone I made for him.
44. That I got to work with Mrs. Paulette for two years before she moved on from LC.
45. That I got the opportunity to teach a class this semester.
46. That someone created Prozac so I don't have to be a butthead to those I love.
47. That Matti gets so excited when she sees me that her whole body shakes.
48. That I've had a lot of moments this year that I laughed until my sides hurt.
49. That gas prices are going down and for STIMULUS checks!
50. That I could keep this list going because the Lord has blessed me with so many things to be thankful for!

Eric Pee Wee Johnson

Create your own FACEinHOLE

Mother Mary Elizabeth

So I have been having a little too much fun at work today playing with this new website. Check out my favorite creation thus far!


Create your own FACEinHOLE

Acne...it's not just for teens

Many of you may not have even had the chance to see the new picture I put on my blog because it was only there for a few short hours. I felt a need to change the hammock picture but as you can see it's back up. The reason being....my sister, whom I had expressed thanks for in my previous blog, called me over lunch to tell me her dislike for the new picture and the fact that I had a HUGE ZIT ON MY FOREHEAD SHINING LIKE THE NORTH STAR (direct quote). I happened to like the picture and have come to grips with the fact that at the age of 30 I have adult acne. It's not because I don't wash my face or because I eat the wrong things its because I have STRESS in my life (one of those stressors being my sister)...just kidding. Shame on me for allowing you to see my flaws. Below you will find the original picture and an edited picture with NO ZIT...the beauty of photo shop. The next thing I will be editing is my list of things I am thankful for (Teri).


KB with a zit....


and magic....KB without a zit

A Month of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my absolute favorite holiday! You get all the good eats and family time as you do at Christmas without the pressure to buy the perfect gift! I also love that its the lead into the Christmas season so everyone is cheery and anxious for all the things that the Christmas season brings.

Because of my love for Thanksgiving I have taken the time every year to make a list of at least 50 things I am thankful that happened during the course of the year. This list is usually in my journal so no one gets to see it. Now that I have entered the blog world I figured it was time to share my thankfulness with all those who follow.

(this is no particular order so please don't get offended where you fall in the rank)

1. That Matti has had a year of good health (my wallet is thankful too)
2. That Billy, Elizabeth, Bailey and Jesse moved to Pineville
3. That my mom celebrated her 60th birthday this year
4. That I got to escape with the girls to the beach over spring break
5. That I got to go to Hawaii to work FUGE again this summer
6. That I got to explore Maui with two great friends
7. That I finally got serious about getting healthy....thanks Rob
8. That I got a raise at work
9. That I have reconnected with long lost friends via facebook
10. That I got to take an unexpected trip home after the hurricane
11. That we all survived the hurricane with minimal damage
12. For the friends who stayed with me at the dorms during the hurricane to manage the choas.....ERIC, ANDREW, BILLY, AMY...I could never say thank you enough!
13. For almost a year of living with Amy....what a great roommate
14. That I got a wii and all the entertainment it has brought into the apartment
15. That I finally caught one of the mice that has been ransacking my pantry
16. The trip to the SPA with Elizabeth
17. The many pedicures I have had at Tracy's nails this year
18. Another year of living and working in the same place with Eric and Lauren
19. A great RA Staff
20. The opportunity to speak at Girl's Opportunity Camp....Irain you changed my life
21. For the surprise birthday party Amy and Alana threw for my 30th birthday
22. That LC got to play at HOME for homecoming
23. That Residence Life won the homecoming parade
24. The Brandon and Mindy are about to expand their family...yay baby Bijoux
25. That the Lord is teaching me a valuable lesson about football through the terrible season Auburn is having
26. For a great relationship with my sister Teri
27. For the new chair my dad and Scotty found at a yard sale
28. For my new iPhone
29. For getting to watch all my friends babies grow up on facebook
30. For new friendships...Angie, Bart, Denise, Cory, Billy, Elizabeth...just to name a few
31. For the right to vote and all the friends who made me realize the importance of it....Jen and Elizabeth
32. For having favor with the administration of LC
33. For my family
34. For good coffee and diet dr. pepper
35. For the opportunity to invest in the lives of college students
36. more to come......