Christmas weekend...

Hello, everyone! I hope that all of you had a wonderful Christmas! Ours was great, it was so nice to be home with family! We got to leave late Friday night after I got off work, so we got to my parent's house around 2:30 Indiana time. Saturday, we had Jesse's dad's family Christmas in the afternoon, which was a blast! His grandma had rented out part of the commons at Indiana Tech, and so there was air hockey, foosball, pool tables, and even a 6-lane bowling alley! Saturday night, my parents had my uncle Josh and aunt Bonnie and my cousins Caleb, Kallie, and brand-new little baby Corban over! He is so cute and so precious...it had been a long time since I held such a tiny baby!

Sunday, we went to my dad's family Christmas at my aunt and uncle's house. We possibly started a new tradition by doing a white elephant gift exchange instead of a traditional gift exchange. All kinds of stuff was in it, like a fish scaler and a paper-mache penguin...it was really funny to see who ended up with what! We went to a birthday party that night for a little girl whose parents (Joey and Karla) are good friends with my parents. (Karla is my mentor and was also in our wedding.) My grandparents came into town that night, so my parents house was just full of out-of-town guests!

Monday, we spent most of the afternoon and evening over at Kevin and Julie's, just relaxing with everyone, having a yummy dinner, and opening our gifts. All of the kids drew names and did a gift exchange this year, which was fun! Lucy didn't want to go to bed, she kept coming back downstairs, and eventually decided she wanted to sleep down there! Her parents told her Santa wouldn't come unless she was in bed, and she just said "I don't care!" She's so funny and cute, it's hard to believe that she will be 5 years old in just a few months!

Christmas day, we spent the day at my parent's house. My mom made an awesome breakfast and we opened presents that morning. It was so nice to have my grandparents there, and my grandma Kanoshia even came down for a little bit! My aunt Monica and uncle Kevin came over in the afternoon with my cousins Erica and Logan, and then Josh and Bonnie came over later for a little bit. It was so nice to see everyone...all the kids are growing up so fast and are all just so stinkin cute!!! Jesse and I finally left around 7:40 our time, and so we got home around 11.

I know this has been long already, but I also wanted to share a prayer request with everyone! I know some of you already know about how we almost didn't get to come home as planned last week, because of a mix-up with our new District Leader, Clareese. She has only been our DL for a few months now, and has been extremely difficult to work with! She's very intimidating and difficult and is making everyone in the salon stressed out with everything that she's trying to change. Even my co-workers who have hardly had to deal with her dread her coming in! You feel like you're walking on eggshells when she's there, trying to do and say everything perfectly, and it is very stressful! I just don't know what to do about this all, I feel like maybe I am at the salon "for such a time as this" to witness to her and be an example to her, but it's just so hard! I feel like she doesn't like me anymore because of the whole Christmas situation, and I feel like she's just going to be watching me like a hawk, waiting for me to "mess up" so that she can get me in trouble or something. I've considered giving up my position and going back to just being a stylist, thinking that I won't have to deal with her as much, but I don't know if that's a good idea or not, and I for sure don't want to just jump to that solution and then regret it later. I know she is new in her position, so she is getting used to this all, and I also know that ultimately, she wants what is best for each salon in her district, but she is going about this whole thing the wrong way! Our company calls people district "leaders" and salon "leaders" and assistant salon "leaders", NOT "managers" because we are supposed to be LEADING people to excellence by encouraging and supporting them, not managing them, and I feel like she is being more of a dictatorial manager right now. I would just really appreciate it if everyone could pray for this whole situation...for patience for everyone involved in the situation and also for wisdom, discernment, and kindness for me in dealing with her and that I can be a light to her and my whole salon. Please also just pray for her, that if there are any situations in her life that need healing, that she would find healing through Christ. Thank you all so much, and I will keep everyone updated!!!

A brush with fame...

So the other day, it was kinda busy at the salon, and I was doing a color, so I wasn't really paying attention to the lobby. I got done with applying the color and while it was processing, I went back to the back room to fold towels and I propped the door open. I glanced up and there was this lady sitting there behind her son who was getting his hair cut, and I thought "she looks familiar". But no makeup, hair pulled back in a clip, and athletic clothes on...just some lady, right? WRONG!!! I kept stealing glances at her, and then I heard her talking to the lady who was cutting her little boy's hair and I was like "I DEFINITELY know that voice"...but I still couldn't talk myself into the fact that it was truly her! Then, the girl who was cutting her little boy's hair finished and went to ring them up and was having trouble with the credit card machine (it's old, and you have to swipe it just right), so I went up to help, knowing that this would be my opportunity to find out FOR SURE. I glanced at the credit card, and what did it say??? JOAN CUSACK!!! It was hyphenated with her married name, of course, but it was definitely her! I felt like such an idiot, and I didn't say anything, just made small talk while I finished ringing them out. I didn't know what to say without looking like the idiot that I felt like...I mean, Joan Cusack was sitting in my salon and no one noticed!!! Now, I'm sure that had she come in dressed like she was in a US Cellular commercial, we would have recognized her. But sometimes, people look completely different with no makeup and their hair done differently...which is probably what she was trying to achieve, ya know? So anyway...

The only other exciting thing to report is that in one of Jesse's most challenging classes, his professor read his paper aloud in class because he was so impressed with it! Jesse was so excited when he told me yesterday, because it is such a challenging class!!! I'm so happy for him and proud of him! :)

We painted our living room and got a new couch a few weeks ago! It looks really good, and it just makes it feel more personalized. I'll have to post pictures after we finish getting pictures and stuff on the walls.

My family is coming into town next weekend! I was randomly able to get next Saturday off because my boss needed me to cover for her that Thursday, so what a perfect opportunity! They had been saying they wanted to come up again, so it works out great. Hopefully, we'll have decent weather...last time they were here, it was SO miserably hot!!! I know we don't have to worry about that this time, but I at least hope that it's sunny and not freezing!!! As of right now, it's looking like low 50s, but no rain, so I won't complain.

I think that's all for now, I'll post pictures from my family's visit next weekend, and hopefully some pictures of our renovated living room! Have a great weekend, and we will see some of you over Thanksgiving!

Wedding Weekend

Here's a link to some pictures from this weekend, and a short update! We left early Thursday morning and stopped in Middlebury to pick up my grandma Carolyn, then went down to Fort Wayne. We spent most of the day at the church, then went to my aunt and uncle's house to practice with my cousin Heidi for the wedding. We stayed there for dinner, then went back to my parent's. Friday, we were at the church pretty much all day, getting everything ready and then having the rehearsal dinner. I went with the bridesmaids and we spent the night at Lisa's house (one of the bridesmaids) and all the guys went to Dustin's. Saturday was WEDDING DAY! The wedding was BEAUTIFUL!!! We all had fun at the reception, I finally learned the Cotton Eyed Joe and attempted to learn the Electric Slide. We tried to watch a movie at my parent's house that night, but we were all so exhausted, we were out within the first 20 minutes! Sunday, we had a quick lunch at Jesse's parent's, then Julie, Aubrey, Mary and I went to a bridal shower for two of Jesse's cousins! Jesse then went to a shootout/reunion with some of the people he used to hang out with in youth group, and I just spent some time with my parents, relaxing and watching a movie. We finally got back to Chicago right around midnight our time! Here's the link, it's to my facebook album:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=54960&id=758115416

Sorry!

I can't believe we haven't posted in over a month! This summer absolutely flew by, and now Jesse's back in school! The last few weeks before school started, he was working like 50+ hours a week because it was just him and his friend Erik working! He started school again on August 27th. I'll let him tell you about his classes and especially about his PCM for this year...a lot more interesting than the YMCA was last year!!!

On August 26th, we helped our friends Craig and Danielle pack up a moving truck and sent them off to Maine! Over their anniversary (July 22), they started talking about moving away, and in about a month, they were gone! He decided that he doesn't want to be a pastor, and that's obviously something that your heart has to be in, and so instead of wasting the time and money here, they moved back to Danielle's family in Maine! God really opened doors for them there, just like He did for us when we moved here! It's so weird going to work without her!!! Funny story...when we were helping them move, I noticed their goldfish on their counter and asked "how are you going to move your fish?" and they said "we weren't going to"!!! They were going to flush it!!! So we rescued it, and now we have a pet, Craig and Danielle named her Shaniqua! It's so funny, the thing begs for food whenever you look at it!

We also made some new friends! Our friends Erik and Sarah introduced us to a new couple, Tim and Sheli. Every Sunday night, they guys have been having game night, so us girls get together and have girl's night! We watch movies, we've made jewelry, I cut Sheli's hair...it's just so fun!

Things have been REALLY good at the salon for the last two weeks, and this week, I actually broke $1000 in services, which is a first for me! A good, steady week is usually around $700, just to give you an idea! I am going to Salon Leader training for 4 days next week, which I have mixed feelings about. I know I am nowhere near ready to be Salon Leader yet, but the idea of it is just to give me the training and knowledge, as I can use it in my current position. However, the last two weeks have just been so good that I don't want to miss out on another good week at the salon, not to mention, losing Danielle a few weeks ago means that we are understaffed when someone is gone! Hopefully, we will hire one or two people soon. Also, we just had the annual ice cream social for SWF, which kicks off the school year! I am on activities this year, which basically just means that me, Leeanne, and our friend Tonya are going to be the brains behind all the fun activities that we do at SWF this year! I'm excited!

Well, Jesse will be home next weekend for Dustin's bachelor party and to practice with the other instrumentalists for the wedding while all the girls are here for Krista's bachelorette party...so it will be a fun, busy weekend! The 22nd is Dustin and Krista's wedding (and Mary's birthday!), so we will be home that weekend, and I'll try to post some pictures from the wedding when we get home! I'll tell Jesse to post sometime this week and tell you all about his classes and PCM for this semester...have a good weekend!!!

Our trip home...

Last week, Jesse and I took some much needed vacation time and went home for a few days! We left on Wednesday as soon as I was out of a work meeting at 4:00 and didn't get back to Chicago until Monday night at 10:30! My birthday was on the 26th and Jesse's was on the 27th, then we celebrated our second anniversary on the 30th, so we thought it would be a good time to take a vacation!

On Thursday, I got together with my mom, Krista, Karla, and Karly for lunch at Bandido's (because I got a free meal there for my birthday). Jesse went with my dad in the semi and then that afternoon, I helped my mom get the house ready for having my dad's entire family over that night. We hadn't seen everyone together since like Christmas, and we hadn't seen Dave and Emily since they moved to New Mexico, which was over a year ago! We got to see their baby, too, and she is a doll! :)

Friday, we went with Jesse's family to his brother Jacob's baseball game and then out with them for lunch. I then met my mom to go shopping for my sister's bridal shower gift and then we met Shelli to go shopping for the rest of the supplies for her shower. Friday night, Jesse and I went out for dinner with Eric and then met up with Wahli and his girlfriend for coffee.

Saturday, we went over to Jesse's grandparent's house to spend some time with them and Jesse's parents and siblings. We were there all afternoon and into the evening, and it was great to just relax, go swimming for a little bit, and just enjoy our time together! That evening, we went out with Aaron, Aubrey, and Rachel to a coffeehouse where a friend of Aubrey and Aaron's was playing and then hung out with Aubrey and Aaron for a little while.

Sunday, we went to church and then Monica, Bonnie, Shelli, and I hosted a bridal shower for my sister! There were so many people there and I'd have to say it was a success! That evening, Jesse and I went out to dinner with Paul and Tamber and then hung out at their house for a little while.

Monday, I just relaxed with Evan in the morning and watched a movie while Jesse went with my dad in the semi again, then I got to go over to Kurtis and Aimee's house and relax with Aimee on their hammocks in the front yard and just chat for a little bit while Jesse met Jono for coffee. We had dinner with my family, then we finally left around 7:00 for Chicago.

It was hard for us to leave, and it's even harder for me to think that we still have 3 more years here! I am totally having fun here making new friends and everything, but we miss everyone SO much! I just wish we were even an hour closer so we could come home more, but you know what they say...absence makes the heart grow fonder, and that is totally true! I've been so tired the past two evenings after two decently busy days at work, because until I went back to work on Wednesday, I hadn't worked since last Tuesday...I've just been trying to get back in to the swing of things and get used to being busy...with the back-to-school season coming up, we're going to be really busy! Jesse is going to be getting 50 hours a week starting next week until school starts again, so needless to say, we will definitely be appreciative of all of your prayers!!! Thanks for reading all of this, I know it was really long!!!