H1N1

My sister recently contracted the dreaded H1N1 virus. So did my mother-in-law. This has raised the level of fear in our house to an all-time high. Drastic measures are now being taken to ensure the health and well being of all who live here...

Month-A-Versary

Today is our fourth month-a-versary! Last night I looked at my wonderful husband in shock. We're married! He's my forever husband! When I have a 25th wedding anniversary, it'll be with the wonderful man by my side. When I have children, he'll be the father. I no longer have to dream about the man the Lord will bring to be my husband. He's here. It's now. I kept looking at him and saying, "We're married!" "We got married!" "When did this happen?"
A year ago today, we were just boyfriend and girlfriend. We were struggling to figure out how to make a long distance relationship work. Now we're married and are loving being together! It's like a whirlwind. My mind is still spinning.
We're married! Four months! Seriously, how did this happen?

Snuggies

First there was the Snuggie... (www.getsnuggie.com)
Then there was the original Slanket... (www.theslanket.com)
Let me just say - these look wonderful and cozy! I love the idea behind them!! Plus, the Slanket offers lots of options! They have regular sized in 15 colors, kid sized in 8 colors, travel sized in 4 colors, and now...wait for it...wait for it... The siamese Slanket! It only comes in two colors, but there are four sleeves! (What a perfect Christmas present for newlyweds... Hint! Hint!)
However, my husband and I decided this morning that someone should bottle up the wonderful feeling you get when your puppies are curled up peacefully on your lap. We could then sell the wonderfulness to those who love dogs but are allergic, or to those who have always wanted the cuteness of a lap dog but have a husband who demands a rotwelier. Wouldn't it be wonderful? I'd buy it in travel size and take it with me!! We're thinking about calling it snuppy - for snuggle puppy.
But how do you bottle a feeling so wonderful and warm?

Invisible God

On Saturday night, we were both craving some time together. We were planning on curling up in bed with a movie and falling asleep early. However, when we were letting the dogs out one last time I noticed an extremely bright star. D.J. pointed out that it wasn't a star, but a planet. Curiosity got the best of me and I convinced him that if we bundled up and had big mugs of hot chocolate that busting out the telescope would be a perfect "date" and exactly what we needed. So we did just that. He got out the digital telescope, I made hot chocolate, the dogs got confused. We trekked to the far corner of the yard and set up shop. I've seen pictures from telescopes, but never looked through one with my own little eye. We checked out the moon first and I was amazed! You could sit there and watch it move! I don't know how many times I said, "WOW!" that night, but I'd be willing to bet it reached in the hundreds. After a good amount of time checking out the moon, we focused the telescope on the mystery planet. The first time we got it in the view finder, we couldn't tell which one it was but we could see no fewer than ten moons all lined up on either side of it. They were perfectly straight!! As we zoomed in with the stronger lenses, we realized that the booger was booking it across the sky! It stayed in view for only a few seconds before it was gone again. This made it impossible to bring it into focus, but it was amazing never the less!! After a bit of Internet research (thanks to that handy dandy invention known as the iPhone!), we decided that we were looking at Jupiter. D.J. says that in the summer time it's easier to see the planets and that on a clear night you can actually zoom in on Jupiter's big red spot. (He also says that you can see Saturn's rings! Now that's a sight I can't WAIT to see!)
As we sat in awe, we couldn't stop humming the tune to "Invisible God" by Andrew Peterson. It's become a favorite of ours and remains on the iPod/iPhone/CD player at all times! If you've never heard it or if you just haven't heard it in a while, check it out at http://www.andrew-peterson.com/ There's a music player in the top right corner. Scroll through the songs until you get to "Invisible God". Close your eyes, sit back, and let God's beauty and majesty wash over you. It's so worth it! You won't regret it - I promise. Don't worry, I'll be here when you get back. Now go! (We had this song at our wedding while we took communion and then played it non-stop as we looked at the breath-taking scenery on our honeymoon!)
It was a wonderful evening just marveling at God's handiwork a gazillion miles away. What amazing wonders He's tucked away for us to discover!
Random question of the day: If there's no telescope on Earth powerful enough to see the American flag on the moon (or the spaceship garbage left up there) how is it that we get pictures of other galaxies and stars being born and we know there's no land on Jupiter - just gas? Why can't we get a good picture of Mercury, but we know all about Pluto and the other couple of planet/rock things circling the sun beyond Pluto? And while we're on the subject, why isn't Pluto a planet anymore? They totally messed up the whole "My very excellent mother just served us nine pizzas" thing! I mean, without the "pizza" part, it doesn't even make sense! I think the scientific community is just trying to mess with our heads... Anyway - I digress.
Go check out Andrew Peterson's song. And while you're there, stroll through the music store. He is an amazing song writer with songs that stir the soul. Just trust me on this one!

Wow! (again!)

Just got a call from the school that the interview has been moved to tomorrow at 2! How quickly can I pull a portfolio together? :)

Woo hoo!

Not ten mintues after I posted the previous blog about the interview, I got a call from the school. They want me to come back for a second interview on Monday morning! I screamed. I jumped. I twirled around. This time I was lucky enough to be on the phone with my wonderful husband and he got to share in my giddy excitement!
I'm planning on using the time between now and then to build up my portoflio and really show off what I can do. I figured this is the perfect time to really step up my game!! (Consequently, anyone out there who knows anything about education portfolios or teaching autism, please let me know - I'd love your input!!) I also have 4 days to figure out what in the world I'm going to wear. This is the perfect time for a new outfit! Unfortunately, the bank statement doesn't agree with me. So we'll have to do some digging and creative outfit creating!
Thanks for the prayers! Keep them coming! I'm one step closer to that dream job!!! :)

The Interview

The interview went really well this morning! The principal said several times that he was very impressed. I even got a chance to tell him why I wanted the job so badly. They're hoping to fill the position in the next few weeks. So, hopefully I'll hear something soon! Now all I have to do is wait... And wait... And wait some more... This is not the fun part!