hump day

Today was a hard day for me. I guess it still is a hard day- becasue it is still the SAME day. Anyways, I had a very hard time getting motivated to work. Working from home is really wearing on me- mostly emotionally- I need a morale boost or something. I hate being alone all day- working. I have NO distractions- which is good- but I think I get more done in 1 day at work form home- then I did in an whole WEEK in the office. Okay- maybe not a week- but a good 2 -3 days. Seriously! It is ridiculous. So, needless to say- this is REALLY good for the admissions office- not so good on Emily:(

Okay, anyways, I worked until 5:15 and we went to Target- and then to the grocery store. We found one we liked- we have tried quite a few grocery stores- and tonight I think we found a good one- the good part is- it is the closest to our house! The prices were right- they even had deals- and coupons buy this item- get this FREE- which is cool.

I got a little frustrated- cause going shopping with Jamos- makes it REALLY hard for me to focus when he is like "look at this!" "look at that!" and he is cute cause he get's really excited about it- but, I can't focus on the best price for pasta sauce when he is talking to me and demanding my attention. AND, I am slightly flustered cause I feel like we spend SO much on groceries lately. I HATE IT. I feel like we are gonna go broke- or something. I mean, eating for two is a lot more complicated than eating for ONE.

Anyways, what else? Last night we put up our Plasma- that was fun- so right now we are watching it. It is BIG! A lot different than my little TV's- It isnt necessary- but it is nice. :)

I miss Michigan- I do. I like Texas- but I really miss my friends and family in Michigan. My mom is coming in a few weeks to visit- but, still! I am trying to get adjusted emotionally.

Is this depressing or what?! Sorry- life really is good- I am just venting about my day!

Well, I have to take an online health assessment for our insurance, so I will write more later and hopefully post some pictures- but I have to TAKE the pictures first... :)

new hair cut...

People wanted pictures...here ya go- ignore the messy house in the background :) Thanks!!!

Hallmark Movies

Wow, Hallmark movies surely do make a person feel emotional. This weekend was fun! Jamos and I went out driving around the city on Friday night- got a little lost- saw a new part of the city- it was fun! :) I actually DROVE on all these crazy interstates and they arent as bad as I once thought- I just don't drive during rush hour!!!

Anyways, Saturday morning we got up and went to see the movie- Juno! It was SOOO good! I loved it! I loved the soundtrack too- so I may have to end up making a purchase! :) Anyways, after that, we went to the Paul Mitchell Salon SCHOOL here in Houston- where you can get your hair cut for $10 by these students at this amazing salon! So, I got pretty much a LOT of my hair chopped off! I figured- why not! We are in a new city- do whatever you want! :) So, she did. I will have to style it and post a picture! :) Jamos also got his hair cut- the first hair cut in a salon EVER- cause for the last 23 years his mom has cut his hair- she went to beauty school- so always cuts it!!! :) So, he enjoyed it too! :)

We also got a new stand for our plasma tv- that should get delivered either tomorrow or the next day- so, that is good. We will finally be able to watch it!!! :)

Today, we went to church- went to our new 1st year of marriage class- and then the service- we also met a nice couple- who are getting married in May- they were really nice- so, it looks like we made new friends!! :) Hopefully we will get to do something with them- since they know the area really well!! He said he knows a lot of 'hole in the wall' places to eat...so that is nice- cause that is the kinda places we like to explore! :)


Oh my gosh...the Hallmark COMMERCIALS are the most tearful of all!!!! GEESH! (sorry the tv is on as I write this)


Umm...after church today, we needed a car wash REALLY bad!! So, we waited in a long line- to get a car wash- which was good- but, we needed to wash the windows etc., and so, we brought the car home- and went out with our windex- I must say, REAL windex is MUCH better than fake windex- it really is GOOD!!! we also put on our new license plates- front and back of the cars- and put our registration sticker in the window- now, this week it looks like I have to go get my drivers license updated this week.

Tonight was good cause we actually hung pictures on the WALL!! Praise the Lord! Our walls have been all white and BORING. But, now, it looks good- 1 step closer to my being able to take pictures of our place and post them online! :)

Well, I better go find my husband, and finish this movie- only 30 minutes left....

:)

Love

Today was a good day. I worked. yes, I worked. as usual. then, I decided I needed to go open a bank account down here since NONE of our banks that we currently belong to- are open HERE in Houston. It was a pleasant experience- :)

Next, in Houston, everyone who has a drivers liscense, has to have an emissions test which costs over $40 to get- plus everything else. The state of Texas is crazy!!!

Tomorrow I will take our other car to the car place and wait inthe waiting room for it- so we can then go try to get our liscenses changed and our registration/tags taken care of this week. You only have 30 days after you move to a state to do such a thing.

I just realized that when I type, my pinky finger sticks out on one side, like I am sipping tea...

funny.

Did you hear about Heath Ledger? Sad isnt it?

Jamos and I really need to set up our new plasma TV- so we can watch it. It is just chilling next to the couch- waiting to be watched!!! :)

me with downtown houston in the background
Kissing my man! :) Jamos at our table at the aquarium.

my old apartment- almost all packed up!

the big truck that took great care of our stuff :)

life 101

Jamos playing the guitar and my dad watching/listening

me and my dad with the awesome jewelry box he MADE me for christmas!!! :)

Me and my Uncle Don on Christmas Day!

Jamos and I on Christmas

My girls and I at the Christmas luncheon_____

Now onto the "words" of my life. Jamos and I attended a new church yesterday- called Second Baptist- www.second.org and I loved it! The church was fairly large, but I dont think you are going to find a 200 person church here in Houston. It is close to us, like 3 miles away- (sometimes here in texas, to go 3 miles, it takes like 20 minutes- NOT KIDDING) but it didnt take too long! We connected right away with people in the church- we stopped at the visitors center- which I normally wouldn't do- but we did! They were really nice- and after the service, we went to a visitors reception, where we got to meet the pastor- (ben young) and get a FREE book written by the head pastor- Ed Young. They were all very nice- and next week we will go to the marriage sunday school class! I am REALLY excited to attend that! Lately in the midst of all this moving- and craziness, I just have wanted to spend more time with the Lord- and grow with him. I love it!!! I am just craving it...- and so I am REALLY glad to be able to attend this class- and join a church!

After the service- they were having this open house at the family life center- where they have a total work out area- and offer classes, etc,, but, because it was an open house- we got free samples of things, and also I learned the hymlich (how do you spell that??) so I was excited about that.

Okay, so, after church, we explored the area around the church- found a Kroger- bought a Sunday paper- I LOVE THE SUNDAY PAPER here!!! It is awesome!!!!! Seriously- the BEST coupons!!!! and a TON of them!!! I like it a lot!!!! Ummm....we came home, I took a nap, and Jamos did something- I have no idea what he did- but he kept himself busy while I was able to nap. And, then we went out and about because I was feeling homesick. I talked with both of my grandma's and it made me want to go back to Michigan and be at my amah's house. I got real sad- so we went out- to Bed bath and beyond- and returned some curtain rods that we bought last week- that didnt work- and actually ran into a friend, brian, who is Jamos' mentor w/ whirlpool- that was fun to actually run into someone in this HUGE city!!! :)

We also went to Whole Foods- I LOVE that place! It is amazing- this one was smaller than what I am used to- but they have the same organic products- and amazin deli, amazing seafood- everything is GREAT! :) So, we spent more money at the grocery store. I really feel like we spend SO much on food! But, I guess it is still cheaper than going out- although, sometimes you jus thave to go out!

Oh, on Friday night- I needed to get out of the house- we went to IKEA- we live less than 5 minutes from IKEA- and we got a new desk and a new coffee table- it was FUN!!!! After we came home- we decided to find someplace fun to eat- and, we found the Aquarium, which is actually the Houston Aquarium, but they have a restaurant, and we ate among the fish! I had almond crusted trout- and Jamos had shrimp stuffed with a lot of yummy stuff! It was fun to get out on the town. I will post some pictures.

Anyways, if you get the chance to watch Joel Osteen- from Lakewood chuch- do it! I love the worship- and have worshipped there- I LOVE IT! That church has the best worship service- I just wish it wasnt so big, but if it wasnt so big, the worship wouldnt be as great- There is something about praising the Lord with 16,000 people- it is just AWESOME!!! :)

Working from home has been really hard on me- just the fact of being alone in the house ALL day long- is really hard.

The weather here has been icky. It just rains and has been cool- we actually had to turn on the heat!!! Unreal! :)

So, I will post this and then post some more pictures.... I think Jamos will be on his way home soon- but, thanks for reading! :)

mythbusters

Jamos and I just got our cable connected- and mythbusters is a pretty sweet show on the Discovery Channel. Speaking of TV- my hubby got home from work- we had dinner tonight and off to office max office depot- for an ink cartridge for my printer- the stinky part is- we had to go to both stores since depot was OUT of my color ink. oh well. anyways, it was raining this evening and there is a 100% chance of rain here tomorrow... geeshhhh.

okay, then, my hubby found a TV online (42 inch plasma- panasonic) for a pretty great price- anyways, he also knew that Best Buy has a price guarantee- if you find it for cheaper- if it is in stock- if it isnt an online price break- they will actually give you the TV for the amount- at Best Buy. So, we spent a LONG time at Best Buy- researching the TV Jamos found online- he really liked it- so, we came home- looked it up online, called the store, they had 1 left in stock- and the sale ended at 9pm we RACED (literally, it was 8:3opm and we got there at 8:35pm when the store closed at 9) and, although they totally didnt want to honor what Jamos was saying- and we made 2 seperate calls to the company, finally, the guy who was NOT very nice- and VERY huge- listened to what my husband was saying- honored the price deal- and we bought a 42 inch plasma tv(flat screen- hangs on the wall) I am pretty excited!!! and, mostly, i am really proud of Jamos- for doing all this research, knowing what he wanted, working so hard with his job at whirlpool so we could actually AFFORD such a huge purchase!!! I mean- I am fine with a small tv and NO cable- but, now we have cable and a huge tv to hang on the wall!!!

I have been wanting to blog, but honestly, working from home is MORE WORK than working from the office. I have ZERO distractions...and in the office- I mean, I get distracted OFTEN!!! So, basically, when I am here working, that is exactly what I am doing- and I dont have much free time on the internet- and when I am not working, I like to be with Jamos- (buying huge tv's)

I guess I dont have much to say. I miss Michigan still... I miss friends and being with people ALL day long. But, I know the Lord is going to work and he will provide and has led us this far, he isnt going to stop now!!! :)

My friend, Tim Davis

Man, I have SO many memories of Tim Davis. The first time I met him, nearly 10 years ago, was the 1st day of school- during orientation- we were in the dining commons and he was like "HI CARRIE" and I was so confused- so he came up to me and as he got closer, he realized that I wasn't his friend Carrie! Carrie was another tall girl- with dark brown hair- and maybe tim wasnt wearing his glasses?! But, from then on, Tim and I were friends- and he would laugh- and I love that laugh- I have wonderful friends with beautiful laughter.

Anyways, last night as I was on the phone with my mom (being alone during a time like this is not ideal) anyways, I started laughing because I remember a few years ago when Tim was working in admissions in Boston, we were both in NY at a conference- well, I, being my graceful self- took quite a large spill in the dining commons- tripped over a chair leg- and was down for the count with food all over me- but, you know that instant when I realize what has happened and you look up- and well, I looked up and the first person I saw was TIM DAVIS!!! He was across the room- smiling- and it made me laugh- He saw the whole thing happen.... :)

Another memory I have of Tim, is being down in St. Pete, FL- he was always in FL- but, we met up over the 4 of July- and we were having a picnic with my cousin sara downtown on the water and- it started raining and we were DRENCHED in RAIN!!! He was staying at this big huge hotel- and there we all sat on the floor of this hotel room soaking wet. It was SO funny!!!!

I also remember another time I saw him on the 4th of July- we were able to go out on his boat- and watch the fireworks from the harbor. That was a LOT of fun. The ashes were so close to us that they were falling on people's boats- quite the excitment.

No matter what, Tim always remembered to CALL ME! He was SO GOOD at making phone calls at the most random of times- just to say HI. I loved that about him. Always wonderful at making conversations. He would always ask, "how is mamma starke?" He loved my mom and my mom surely loved Tim! I am fairly certain she would have been totally okay if I married that boy! Hey, I tried to get him to date me, but, I guess we were meant to just be friends- obviously I married the one God had chosen for me, but like many girls, Tim was a good catch!

I remember being in Tim's room- and he had these crazy pillows- that were really fluffy and he had one in Blue and one in Gold- (SAU colors) they were amazing pillows.

Tim, I will miss the phone calls and chats buddy. I know you did well in this life- serving the Lord. You have so many people who love you and cannot wait to see you again. I am blessed to have these memories with you- thank you for being a part of my life- you are amazing. You are in heaven worshipping the creator! How is that? I bet it is AMAZING!!! Man, that would be cool. You have a good voice- and you surely can play the piano, so I bet you are working on that!!

Love you.

Em

We love you.

Here is what was on Tim Davis' carepage this afternoon.

At 3:05 pm on Thursday Jan.10, 2008, our beloved Tim went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His family was surrounding him, standing with him as he peacefully passed. Tim never wavered in his faith. An hour before he passed, a close family friend was sitting with Tim, holding his hand. He proceeded to raise both hands straight up in the air and opened his eyes as our friend said "Come Jesus." "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but to all who have longed for His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8 Calling hours will be on Sunday Jan. 13, 2008 from 4-7 pm with the funeral immediately following. Location: Victory Christian Church (Coitsville Campus) Rt. 422/3899 McCartney Rd. Lowellville, Ohio 44436 Phone: 330.536.2127 Fax: 330.536.6310 www.theresaplaceforyou.com Thank you for all your prayers, words of encouragement, and support.

wowzers

Today has been a good day- I still need to work for 2 hours tonight-to get a full 8 hour day in...but it has been really good connecting with my students again after a long break!

Anyways, enough about work- because I feel like that is all I do-now that I am at home- and basically if I am not cooking or emptying boxes, I am working. I did sit by the pool today- until my lap top got real low on battery power. I need to plan that better for next time- but it was kinda hard to see the computer screen as well- so who knows. I did get some sun and that made me feel good. I can't wait for this weekend, I hope the weather is nice so Jamos and I can go swimming and lay out and stuff!! How fun!!

Okay, anyways, continue to pray for my friend Tim. He is still fighting this cancer- they set up a carepages for him, which is a great way to stay informed on what is happening in his life- and I guess they have been reading him the comments that people are leaving for him. What an amazing man. Pray healing over his life.

I cleaned up a lot of boxes- tomorrow morning the moving company is sending someone to come pick up our flattened boxes- they recycle them and reuse them- so that will actually allow me to enter our guest bathroom! Praise the Lord! :) The house is coming together- I rearranged our bedroom today- Jamos doesnt know, but I like it a lot better! I dont really know much about feng shu or whatever- but, it wasnt flowing- so, I think now it does!!! It looks real pretty and when we get the pictures up and stuff I will post pictures:)

Ummm....what else? I didnt drive anywhere today- but I did look up online where the SAMS club is located and the Walmart- and it looks like they are less than 2 miles away! Which makes me happy- cause the grocery store I went to on Sunday was pretty $$$$.


I do miss Michigan and I can't wait for Jamos to come back from San Antonio.... we have so much to do around here- I need him to come back!! :)

That is all- Pray people Pray! :)

the update...

Well, it is like 8:30pm and I am pretty much done working for the day. Working from home looks like it will be good- but also hard to STOP working. I got a hold of a lot of my students (the whole first page of my list) and talked to all of them except 2 and then I talked with some parents as well, but everyone was talkative and in a good mood- probably because I called from my cell phone. Pretty SWEET! :) Anyways, as you can tell Jamos and I are in our new place. We were able to move in Saturday night- the movers left at like, 7pm and we started unpacking- it was ridiculous. It feels like you have so much cause they wrap everything up so much- that one huge box just has a small lamp shade...random. Then, Sunday at 1pm, Jamos left for his first business trip to San Antonio.... So, I am stuck here unloading boxes and trying to get cable, internet, car insurance changed over, etc., Let me tell you- I already am reminded of why I dont like big cities. On my lunch break today- I went to the post office- cause I was told that they were holding our mail there for us- so, really confused, I drove to the post office- and waited in line for seriously 30 MINUTES. The line was wrapped around the post office and out the door. It was like 3pm- and turns out- they didnt have any mail- so it was a total waste of a trip- except it got me out of the house for the day- which was my only venture out- and I really wanted a diet coke on the way home, but I was too confused and lost to feel confident to stop anywhere to get one. I know, I am lame. But, I miss Michigan! I am a total country girl- I dont like all these stop lights, people who speak all different sorts of languages, the city is EXPENSIVE enough to live in- I mean, seriously, there is no way we could only have 1 person working...I mean, basically, you have to have one person work to pay the rent and then, the other to pay the car insurance, which is pretty much TRIPLE here, and other bills, water, electric, etc., Good thing we will only be in Houston for less than 2 years- cause I dont think our budget could handle all of this!!!

Anyways, I am sort of freaking out about that kinda thing right now. But, my heart is also burdened for my friend Tim Davis- who has been battling cancer- he is back in the hospital in intensive care, because they they the cancer has spread to his entire body. Tim Davis is a wonderful friend- I used to try to get him to go out w/ me because I thought we would be such an impressively tall couple. He has gone on missions trips to Mexico, and cross culturals all over the place. He lives in PA, and I just pray that the Lord would heal him. I just had a dream before I heard all of this news, that he was healed and came back to Spring Arbor to talk to the church service about his healing- and then that morning, I heard that he wasnt doing very well. I trust in the Lord to heal Tim Davis- I trust that the Lord will comfort his family. I just can't even express what I am feeling about this. I have never had a friend go thru something like cancer before. When I was in college I met up with Tim over the 4th of July in FL, we watched the fireworks from his parent's boat and the ashes were falling all over the place on the deck of the boat and stuff. I mean, seriously, there are just so many memories I have with Tim Davis- and I don't want the memories to stop! He is a great friend- who calls all the time- and I appreciate that. He is good at calling and keeping in touch. thanks tim for all you are.

So, after writing about that, it is hard to feel sorry for anything, I mean, I am healthy and alive and safe. There are so many things going on in the world, in kenya, all over- that are just horrible and need prayer. I pray for them. I also pray for my friend Jamey who just had her 8th surgery on her ankle today. I pray that she is healed and doing well from this experience- she broke her ankle a LONG time ago in college- when she fell down the stairs at the presidents house- and ever since then she has had to have surgeries and live with pain in her ankle. I pray that this surgery heals her.

Lord, thank you for all that you are and all that you are doing in people's lives. I pray right now for Tim- heal him. Let him know how many people are praying for HIM and for the healing that he can experience. I pray for Jamey, and her surgery- God, just love on her and let her feel you hugging her today. God, thank you for friends, thank you for blessings. I love you Lord- I pray for our world who needs to seek you- I pray that I can make a difference. Thank you for my job, for my coworkers back in michigan- thank you! Work your miracles.
Amen

we made it!

We made it to Houston!! We arent in our apartment yet- but hopefully by tomorrow when the movers arrive we will be able to move in- and the complex better pay for our hotel tonight- as we sat in the parking lot of our apartment complex tonight at 10pm- realizing that people are still in there painting and it isnt READY!!! COME ON!!!

so, I pray that the Lord works that all out for us on that front... i know he will.


we made it- Jamos is a GREAT driver and took good care of me all the way down here. I am SO ready to get settled- you have NO idea.

living out of a suitcase for a week STINKS!!!!! I want to work, I want some routine, or something!!!

Snowy North

Jamos and I are in southern IL- after driving ALL day long in a huge snow storm. Why every time we head to Texas, we are trapped in a snow storm, I have no idea. But, we traveled our 400 miles...in like many hours- enjoyed a delicious meal at TGI Fridays- went in the pool/hot tub and are tucking ourselves in for the night.

so, that is all!

bye!