Learning to See!

What is new

2012-01-23T20:47:00.000-05:00

I got the result s from my first dinner party, and they weren't the greatest. I had to have another one. So, I had the second dinneer party last Thurday. I made thesame thing I had planned, spaghetti and homeade garlic bread. They both turned out great. This time I passed and moved on to the next level, the fifteen person mini meal or lunch at the center (three course).

In woodshop I have started my final project before graduation. I got to choose from a number of things such as a paper towel holder, jewelry box, etc. I chose a knife holder for the kitchen knives. It is coming along pretty good. I have been able to use a table saw, a planer (to cut off small pieces of wood(, and many other neat devices. I am pretty close to finishing it up All I have to do is cut the holes where the knives go and glue it together. We have finally made the two pieces of wood the same size and made them even. It has been a fun project. Once we finish the project we are going to work on around the house projects. Which will be very useful.

The buses have changed here. The buses still run in the morning like normal but in the afternoons they do not. We have two options, the lightreail or a call in ride. They are cutting back on the bus service due to budget cuts and this was a big one. Today I took the call in ride for the first time and I think it will be okay. I am not sure how to get home form the lightrail so I think the clall in ride will work okay.

Otherwise not much going on here. I hope all is well with all of you. God bless.

dINNER pARTY AND GUESTS

2012-01-16T21:54:00.000-05:00

tHIS PAST WEEKENDDD mATTHEW AND sARAH CAME OUT TO cOLORADO. i TOOK fRIDAY OFF AND WE ALL WENT SKIING. iT WAS ALOT OF FUN. jOE WENT WITH ME. i MEANT TO JUST DO THE EASY ONE, BUT THE EASY ONE CONTINUED INTO MORE DIFFICULT ONES. tHE HARDER ONES WERE MORE FUN BECAUSE THEY WENT FASTER. aLTHOUGH jOE WAS DOING THE HEARD PART. HAHA

oNE OF THE GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS IS A DINNER PARTY. i WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE MINE THIS PAST tHURSDAY. i HAD IT ALL PLANNED OUT TO MAKE SPAGHETTI AND GARLIC BREAD. i HAD INVITED THE 5 PEOPLE NECESSARY AND GONE TO THE STORE. wHEN i GOT HOMEFROM THE STORE, DAY OF PARTY, i REALIZE THAT i SOMEHOW DIDN'T HAVE SOME OF WHAT i NEEDED AND HAD PURCHASED. bEFORE COMPLETELY FREAKING OUT i CALLED TO CENTER AND TALKED TO MY TEACHER AND SHE SENT HOME A FROZEN GARLIC BREAD. i ASSUMED ALL WAS WELL. eVERYONE LOVED THE SPAGHETTI. tHIS MORNING i FIND OUT i HAVE TO REDO THE DINNER PARTY, INVITE NEW PEOPLE, LUCKILY i CAN KEEP THE SAME MEAL. i WILL JUST TRY TO LOOK AT IT AS THIS IS FOR MY BEST.

Christmas break

2012-01-03T09:25:00.000-05:00

I haven't posted much because I have been home, yeah, on my Christmas break. Christmas was very good, I hope all of you guys had a good Christmas as well. My mom and I went on a tripto Virginia with a good friend of ours and saw some of her family up there. We were gone a few days and had a good time. Now we are getting ready for the trip to Duke University for my update, which we are hoping is all good. Then back to Colorado for me!! Only a few more months until I graduate. That is what is keeping me going. I know I can preservere until the end!

Back in SC...

2011-12-18T21:00:00.000-05:00

Things have been really busy for me at school....that's my story and I'm sticking to it as to why I haven't made a post!

The Secret Santa thing I wrote about was so much fun and we revealed ourselves on the last day of school at the Christmas party. I really like all the things I got and the girl I had seemed to like everything I gave her as well. We were supposed to chop down the tree for the center, but the weather was bad so we just bought one already cut. The center hosted a holiday party for the National Federation for the Blind, which I went to.

I had my "staffing" meeting the Monday before I came home. My case manager from SC was on the conference call, as well as my teachers in CO. Overall they all feel like I am making progress in most areas, but the weakness would be traveling to unknown places. They are hoping for me to be able to graduated sometime in April. My travel instructor said that we will be working on that in the new year. I will also be starting a new class that will help prepare me for college. I have continued with my woodshop class and worked with some bamboo, which was pretty cool.

I flew out of Denver Saturday morning, and after a bit of a rush to get to the airport because my travel partner didn't hear the alarm and the shuttle never came, Mr. Joe saved the day and got me to the airport in time for my flight. I walked right on to the plane, so it was close :) My flight into both Atlanta and Charlotte were early. Mom, Matthew and his girlfriend Laura came to meet me.

It's great to be home...

test

2011-11-30T16:43:00.002-05:00

Days after Thanksgiving

2011-11-30T16:40:00.000-05:00

The days in school after the Thanksgiving break have been preetty uneventful. Nothing too eventful. I have made some soup in home management and a grilled cheese sandwhich. Both were pretty good. Tomorrow I am going out to brekfast in long travel. That should be fun. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be only 28 tomorrow! I am not looking forward to that! I cannot wait until CHristmas brak. Right now it is like 18 days away. The secret sant thing here is going pretty good for me. I have been getting things pretty consistently. The person I had is leaving due to medical resons, so I will be getting someone different. Unfortunately. Otherwise nothing new here.

Long time, no post...

2011-11-17T16:26:00.000-05:00

I apologize for my tardiness in writing a post, but I have continued to have internet problems thanks in part to my last roommate :( Anyway, I will do my best to get you current on all the happenings here in CO! A special thanks to Mr. Joe for ALL the time he spent talking to Comcast and helping me get it all figured out!

I have been participating in some self-defense classes and have been enjoying them. At the last class, I learned "how to fall". I don't seem to have trouble with that as I experienced it over and over this summer on most of the curbs between my apartment and the school! My Braille is progressing, slowly, but surely. I have been learning contractions, and feel like I am finally beginning to grasp them, although because of my memory, I get them confused sometimes. This week we finally started woodshop! I am so excited about this class. The teacher that was here left and the last few weeks a new one was being trained. I will have the class twice a week. In the first class it was mainly instructional, but we learned about a measuring device which begins with 6 inches and then expands. I'm guessing I get my love for woodshop from my Grandpa Wilhelm-thanks Grandpa!

Last weekend I went to the Ralph's Saturday night and Sunday. Mrs. Diane and I went shopping to fill Operation Christmas Child boxes - and I filled two on my own. We had so much fun shopping and then putting the boxes together. I loved being able to participate in that wonderful ministry.

We had a Thanksgiving meal at school yesterday. Since Wednesday is my long period of Home Management, I was part of the group that made the meal. I peeled SO many potatoes....everything was very good, but I am SO blessed to have the opportunity to be going home for Thanksgiving thanks to a wonderful gift of an airline ticket. I am thankful for this opportunity I have to be at this school as difficult as it may be at times, but I am learning independence and with that comes the opportunity to go to college.

A Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Catching up...

2011-11-03T20:57:00.000-04:00

There has been a lot happening here in the last few weeks, but the biggest and best thing wasn't part of my schooling :) I flew out to Los Angeles, CA for four days and visiting my aunt, uncle and cousins. I had so much fun! My cousin Tessa attends UCLA and Aunt Laura and I met her one day for a picnic and then toured the sculpture gardens. Tessa explained the sculptures to me and they were all pretty amazing. We walked on the beach and the Pacific was as cold as always. We went shopping a few times and I got Christmas shopping done foe several of my family members. We went to a 4D movie where I was supposed to feel the wind, snow, etc...but apparently those sensations only occur in the front couple of rows, and that's not where we were! Lastly Uncle Kevin, Aunt Laura, Tessa and I went to the Santa Monica Pier one evening. It is a tame amusement park out on a pier into the ocean. We had so much fun on the mild roller coaster, the drop zone and especially the bumper cars. It was just the four us in the cars at first and we were making so much noise laughing that after a few minutes, the cars filled up with people who wanted to have as much fun as we were having!

When I got home, my new roommate Lily, had moved in. Lily is my age, from Philadelphia, and we are having a blast rooming together. She is somewhat of an exercise fanatic, and as much as my Mom would want me to participate with her, that's not going to happen!

We had a snowstorm last week and again this week and it has been an interesting experience. Obviously when I leave in the morning, the sidewalks aren't shoveled yet. That make traveling to the bus stop a bit of a challenge as I don't know where the sidewalk begins and ends. It was also very windy yesterday, which added to the excitement of that whole experience.

I have made carmel apples and enchiladas and both have been good. I went to a public hearing for public transportation because the bus route that I take is facing elimination, and even though we had a lot of support, it is still planned for Jan. 1. I'm not sure what my options will be at that point.

This weekend is the state National Federation for the Blind convention which I will attend Friday through Sunday.

The last few days...

2011-10-21T10:43:00.000-04:00

Well, once again Emily is having internet problems - no surprise there! At this point, we really don't know what the problem is, but hopefully it will get corrected soon! Last Saturday morning a cleaning lady came and did a somewhat thorough cleaning of the apartment, except for Emily's bedroom and bathroom. Everything is getting ready for Lily to move in, which will hopefully be this weekend sometime. Emily got to make the homemade cinnamon rolls this week, which she said turned out great! On Wednesday Mallory Beach picked her up from school, took her to her apartment to get her suitcase and then to the Denver airport. Emily is in Los Angeles, CA until Sunday visiting her Uncle Kevin, Aunt Laura, Grady and Tessa. She had a good flight and Laura and Tessa were at the gate to meet her plane. On Thursday Laura and Emily drove Tessa to UCLA to school and then did some Christmas shopping at the Beverly Center in Hollywood. She was very excited about the trip and so glad for the opportunity. I'll (Janet) send an update on her trip if the internet problems continue.

The weekend and past few days

2011-10-11T23:04:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't posted in a while...hopefully everyone hasn't given up on me. Nothing too interesting or out of the ordinary has happened so I figured it wasn't worth blogging about.

The past few days, I have learned how to make pork chops and chopped baked potatoes in home management. The pork chops were so good! Tommmorrow we are making homeade cinnamon rolls...mmm! I cannot wait for that, that will definately be a recipe that I will be getting, even though I am sure my mom's are better.

This past Saturday I went to an art museum with someone from the center to show a model they had made of a painting. We were showing it to people who passed. We had them close thier eyes, like a blind person would have to do, feel the image and tell us what they were feeling. It was a picture of an indian woman. Once they were done feeling the picture they could open thier eyes and look at the picture and see how close they got. It was fun. That afternoon I went to my friends, the Ralph's house and spent the weekend with them. That was alot of fun. On Sunday I went to thier grandaughter, Becca's house. We watched a movie and had mac and cheese, so it was a good day.

Catching up...

2011-10-03T19:15:00.000-04:00

Last Monday through Wednesday at school there was nothing out of the ordinary. I did make chocolate chip scones on Wednesday and they were delicious! My Mom and Aunt Laura flew into Denver on Wednesday night. Thursday they went to Mt. Bierstadt with the Beach's and climbed to the top of the 14'er! I'm so glad they did that without me! They came to pick me up from school and got a tour and were able to meet a couple of my teachers. Then we went to my apartment and they changed out my summer clothes with the winter clothes my Mom brought along. I am ready for the snow with coats, hats and gloves....I even have a pair of ski bibs so I hope I can go skiing again.

On Friday we went thrift store/consignment shopping for a pair of cowboy boots for Sarah. We found some at the last store, had a delicious lunch at the Prickly Pickle and then went shopping downtown Denver on the 16th Street Mall. We ate some ice cream at the #1 rated shop called "Sweet Action" - they had some pretty amazing flavors, even some made with beer in honor of the Beer Fest going on over the weekend! Then we had a massage and we all enjoyed it tremendously! On Saturday we did some more shopping/window shopping around Littleton and had so much fun. On our way back to the Beach's, we stopped and got pedicures, so hopefully all three of us will be able to wear open-toe shoes a little longer!

Sunday morning was sad as they were getting packed and ready to go. Mrs. Karen and I left for church and they left for the airport at the same time. I will be back in SC next month for Thanksgiving, so I keep telling myself that it's not so long. I had one of my "episodes" during church which is the second one in a wee, so that was pretty scary. I did go to a doctor today, but she basically said I needed to be seen by an endocrinologist. She did take some labs, so we will see what they are.

Visits to Denver are welcome to everyone who reads my blogs - the weather and sights are beautiful, so come on down!

Another day

2011-09-21T22:24:00.000-04:00

Today on the way to school I fell. I haven't fallen in atleast a month, I had been doing so good. Oh well, it had to happen again at some point. One of the teachers helped clean me up, wash my pants, and lend me one of her spare shorts. It was very kind of her and I was lucky she had a spare pair!

Today was a long home management day and we made homeade lasagna. It was good. I have made it one other time with another teacher but this one was just as good. When I got home I had to clean the kitchen which is never any fun. Tomorrow I go scuba diving in a pool, which should be alot of fun. I heard they give us signals on our hands. I can't wait!

Art class

2011-09-19T22:27:00.000-04:00

Today not too much went on. The first two classes were normal, homemanagement and travel. Then today we had our first art class. There were so many student the teacher said she was going to have to get more materials for our first project.

Today we talked about some of the basic tools that we will be using for our first project, stone carving. After we felt all of the tools we got to all take turns sawing a pieve of stone. Then we got to hammer and chizzle the stone until it broke into smaller pices. We took these files to smoothe stone, and smaller little files for the smaller areas. Then we felt different completed carvings, with different styles. It was such a neat experience, I cannot wait until next week to see what we will create!

Past few days

2011-09-17T23:57:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't posted the past few days...but not much has been going on out of the ordinary. I have a few things to tell you about though. Mainly, surprisingly enough, they have to do with me cooking and making new thins

We did a few things on the grill on home manaagement this past week. I had never grilled before. I grilled a chicken breast. I felt the grill to know how big it was, then turned on the gas and the knobs. I was able to feel the flame come on. I placed the chicken on witha tongs. In about 8 minutes I flipped them onto a plate and felt to see if they were tough, one was not so I left it on a couple more minutes. It was a great experience.

Another thing I did was made homeade hamburgers. That was alot of fun. It was messy, but fun. Overall it wasn't too difficult. They were really good!
.

I walked around a block in travel class. Still haven't been falling so that is good. Otherwise not much new. .

g

The weekend

2011-09-11T19:28:00.000-04:00

Last night, Saturday night, Dion, my roomate and her fiance invited me out for lunch. We went to a cafe and I got a cheeseburfer, afterwards we all went to his apartment and watched a movie and hung out. It was fun.

This morning I went to church with another student here named Eric, Lily and Heather also came along with us. After church, we came home and changed then went to the 16th St. Mall. We ate at "Good Time's Burgers". I got chicken fingers, they were good. Then we just walked around for w hile.

Now I am just hanging out in the apartment, not sure what the plans are for the evening. It was a good weekend though.

The past few days...

2011-09-10T12:55:00.001-04:00

I am sorry I haven't posted in a few days. Hopefully you all haven't given up on me. I feel like things are definately improving, although I have a ways to go before I "get there".

In my four main classes; home homemanagement I feel like I can cook any kind of pasta, taco's, put things in the oven ralatively safely haha, travel I am not falling off of curbs like at all although I still am having trouble memorizing routes, please pray for my memory. Technology, I have been working on these lessons that I just finished, now I am learning different key commands. Last, braille, I am getting better with the slate and stylus, I definately would not call myself a pro yet. I am learning a couple contractions, it is not easy. Braille is not one of my favorite classes because of the level of difficulty that it brings.

We have also done a couple of fun things. We have gone rock climbing a couple of times. Not to brag or anything, but I was able to get to the top of the more difficult mountain. I thought it was pretty cool thinking that these were real Colorado rockies mountains that I was climbing, not indoor fake rocks. It was a fun and difficult actityy. I also was able to "balay" someone. (don't know if that is how you spell it) which is where you are the one holding the ropes on the other end "helping" them up the mountain. If they fall you have to catch them. In a way their life is in your hands. When they come back down it is totally different then when they go up. It was really cook to experience. I would do it again though. Once it gets cooler we are going to go skiing, I cannot wait for that!

I guess that is about it. I hope all is well for all of you guys.

Internet ordered!

2011-08-30T16:39:00.000-04:00

Still from Janet...Saturday morning I called Emily on the apartment landline and Emily's roommate was there and wondered if I wanted to talk to her....I did and couldn't get off the phone! She is 31, from Arizona, has a 11 year old daughter being cared for by Grandma and is recently engaged. She has some vision and can see shadows, but is in the program because she will eventually lose it altogether. I asked her about getting internet at the apartment and said Emily could pay the first month if she didn't have her computer yet. She apparently called that day and Emily said they should have it by the end of the week!

The fundraiser on Saturday night sounded very successful. She said they were expecting over 200 people and it seemed like that many were in attendance. Several different restaurants had donated food, so there was a lot of sampling going on. Our friends, the Beach's, picked her up after the event and brought her to their house overnight and to spend the day on Sunday. The phone had been shipped to them and they spend much of Sunday afternoon trying to get the "talking" software on the new phone...unfortunately it never worked :( Joe put her most important contacts (ME!) on speed-dial, so I can at least talk to her! I told her to bring the phones (new and old) to school the next day and see if someone there could help her. The keypad wasn't locking properly so she couldn't keep it in the case or it would dial out, so without that protection of a case, it got dropped on her way to school Monday morning. John received a call yesterday and saw that it was Emily...but it was "Nathan" who had found her phone on a bridge on the way to the Center. John explained the importance of the phone and where she went to school and he said he would bring it by there!! Huge miracle-an honest human being! It also is an older phone and wouldn't be worth much on ebay to someone else :) All evening I kept trying to call her, and there was no answer. Finally around 10:00 pm my time, I get a call from Emily on a friend's phone telling me she lost her phone. I prayed with her that it would be brought to the center. She said she had good news! She had mentioned that she took some pictures over the summer and did some photography. Yesterday they went to an art show where the pictures were displayed and for sale! She said hers must have been the best because it was blown up the biggest and had the highest price on it! She has a copy which I will get when I see her at the end of September.

I called the Center today over my lunch hour and was told that the phone did arrive yesterday, but they didn't give it to Emily until today...I may need to have a "come to Jesus" moment with them because that thought process of waiting to deliver the goods just isn't working for me! BUT, she now has her phone again although it isn't real helpful without the talking software and the internet is coming...

Still no internet and no cell phone!

2011-08-26T16:08:00.000-04:00

Another post from Mom! Emily talked to her roommate for the five minutes she has seen her this week and they are going to get internet, but Emily doesn't know when. Her cell phone will not keep a charge so Matthew found one on ebay and ordered it last weekend and she should get it this weekend...hopefully someone will be able to sign for it and hopefully her old phone will turn on so they can get a serial number needed to re-download the "talking" application to the new phone. It's a very complicated process and difficult to take care of 1500 miles away!!

This Saturday night the Center is holding a fundraiser which is a show where the younger kids sing Broadway show tunes. Emily has been busy this week baking the desserts that will be served at the event. She sample a couple of the things they made and like the chocolate varieties and passed on those with nuts in them :)

She hasn't fallen in over a week, so hopefully that is over and one with! Her new adventure is walking to the bus stop in the mornings by herself. Someone waits for her and will come and "look" for her is she doesn't come. Yesterday she got pretty lost, but ended near the apartment of some other students, who happened to hear her IN THE STREET between cars!! I maintained my composure as this seems very dangerous to me since she doesn't have a phone to call for help and it is a VERY LARGE apartment complex!! Thank the Lord He is watching out for her!

The last few days...

2011-08-22T09:51:00.000-04:00

It seems as if Emily's new roommate is never home to discuss getting internet access in the apartment, so another update from Mom :)

Last Wednesday Emily made homemade salsa! She talked about mincing the vegetables to go into the blender and that it turned out really good! She had a fairly "fall-free" week, which is very good news. Thursday night she got to see her friend from Denver, Alicia, before she flew to college in PA. They had a great time at Noodles!

Emily's phone is having problems again. I bought a new battery when she was in Aiken, but the phone isn't holding a charge at all. What that means is that now we have no way to contact her :( I needed to get in touch with her about getting a new phone. It was frustrating because we had to buy a used phone on ebay that would interact with the "talking" software for a phone. Only certain phones have that capability and then the majority of new phones have touch screens, which are impossible for her to use...VERY frustrating! But, she called late last night from another person's phone and had had a great day visiting a friend's church and then hearing Dr. Dobson speak at another church in the evening! I am hoping that in a weeks time, she will have a phone and the internet!

Wading in the river...

2011-08-17T21:05:00.000-04:00

This is Janet posting again while Emily waits for internet. Emily had been so excited about the woodshop classes that she was going to be able to participate in, but unfortunately the teacher left and they are looking to replace him right now :( On Tuesdays there is an extended travel period, so we were outside pretty much all morning. The good news about that is that I didn't fall! I did fall later in the day on a grassy slope while running to get to the bus on time though. Today the Home Management class was long. We made homemade pizza. It was pretty good, but not as good as Mom's!! Today we got in vans and were driven to a river. We walked down a slope and waded into it and it was quite chilly, but because it was hot outside, it felt good. We caught different things from the river and could hold them if we wanted to. I held a small snail and something else that was small but was jumping around in my hand!

I was able to get all my things unpacked and put away last night so that is nice. Most of you know that I am a pretty organized and neat person, so it felt good to get that done. My new roommate isn't around very much, so I am by myself quite a bit. I am still hoping to connect with some of the other students.

There is a Bible Study every morning the the Center. I went yesterday and today and even though there are only 2 or 3 others, it is a sweet time with the Lord and a great way to start the day! I met another student who is involved in a good church nearby, so on the weekends when I'm not able to go to visit my friends, I will be able to go there.

Waiting on internet ....again...

2011-08-16T18:22:00.000-04:00

For those of you who read this consistently, I (Janet) wanted to post an update. Emily's trip back to CO went fine, with no problems at all. She spent the weekend with dear friends, the Ralph's, at their home in Larkspur. She had made arrangements to meet someone at her new apartment Sunday night....only they were over an hour away when she got there at the arranged time, and then found out that her new roommate wouldn't be there all week! On top of the apartment being left unlocked with her luggage in there, a broken sink, which Tim fixed - thank you!, and no food in the apartment! Tim and Diane graciously took her with them to a planned family dinner and then back to their house so she wouldn't be alone in an unfamiliar situation. She had to be back to the apartment complex by 6:45 am and someone met her to take her to school. Tim and Diane were a bit apprehensive (as I was 1500 miles away!) after the fiasco the night before, but Eric walked up with a "Jesus" t-shirt on and his church which Tim was familiar with! They talked a bit before leaving and felt a total peace about leaving Emily there to go to school.

Emily moved into another apartment with a new roommate last night after school and was still in the process of getting settled. They were having a conversation about getting wifi for their apartment when I spoke with her. So, that is the reason for me writing this post :)

Mom's day off!

2011-08-12T08:55:00.000-04:00

Today mom took the day off because of a couple appointments I had, and she didn't have any other day's off this week. So, that was nice to be able to spend the day with her, despite the couple appointments.

The first appointment of the morning was someone came from one of the insurance's I am revieving to get an update to see if I should still be reveivnig it or not. It was nice to have mom there to help with some of the questions. Once she left we went to the chiropractor for an adjustment. It felt like it was much needed after being in Colorado for a couple months! Mom ancd I enjoyed a hotdog downtown a Ginger's hotdog stand. we both had chilli cheese dogs. They are so good!! Mom made homeade pizza for dinner, which of course was delicious! Dad and I played dominoes, which is always fun! It was a fun day. I am sad to say that my trip home is almost over. I can happily say that I have had a great tripand it has been very productive. I feel like I have seen almost everyone I wanted to. I am so sad it didn't work out for me to see Matthew, but he'll just have to come see me!

A day hanging out in SC

2011-08-09T20:16:00.000-04:00

Today I woke up and read several chapters in my Bible. I just kind of hung around the house for a while, while dad was outside doing some yard work. Around eleven oclock grandma came and picked me up. I went with her to her haircut appointment, which took about 45 minutes. Then she took me to Ruby Tuesday's for lunch. After that we went to the mall so she could get her blook pressure taken and to Publix to get somemilk. It was a good afternoon with grandma. I know I want to spend as much time with her as possible while I am here, I love our time together.
This evening for dinner my mom and I met several of my old teachers for dinner at Fatz Cafe. In total there was about 8 of us. We had alot of fun, lots of laughter was had. I told them all about what I had been up to, as well as what was to come. It was sad to have to say goodbye to everyone.

A fun day in SC

2011-08-08T17:32:00.000-04:00

Today I ran a couple errands with my dad. We had to replace my ID because coming home from the flight attendant told me that it had expired, luckily it wasn't a problem. When we went to look for it to bring to the DMV to get a new one, we couldn't find the wallet in which it was in. We looked EVERYWHERE! Finally we began the process of replacding and canceling the stff inside that wallet. There was a debit card, insurance card, Skymiles card, and thenof course my id. It was of course a hassle for my parents and I but nothing was put on my debit card, praise God, and it is all taken care of now.

I was able to go to lunch with someone in my church, Mrs. Joy. We had a great time! After lunch she took me to her house and helped me in making a beautiful necklace and earrings to go with it. We had a great time together. I miss everyone in the here so much.

This evening mom is making one of my favorites! Chicken alfredo!! After dinner, one of my old teacher friends is picking me up and taking me out for dessert! That will be alot of fun, I am looking forward to it. Hope you are all doing well.

Weekend in Aiken

2011-08-07T16:23:00.001-04:00

Saturday morning my Mom and I went to our favorite bagel shop and then went to Target to get my prescriptions. My favorite pharmacist assistant was there and I was so happy to see her! We went swimming when we got home and then got ready for a wedding in Augusta. I was able to see several people and the wedding was beautiful...so I was told :)

Today I was able to go to my own church. It was great! I got to see a bunch of faces I haven't seen in a while, most of them didn't know I was coming so that was a fun surprise! It was so good to see everyone. I know I did not see everyone that I wanted to. I thought my dad had a great sermon on "growing up" and the different stages that we all need to go through in our Christian walk. It was very good. Also how we need to be doers and not just hearers of the Word of God.

A nurse from church looked at my knee and gave me some advice to keep it from getting infected. She told me it would be painful :( My Mom "worked" on it this afternoon and we will repeat the procedure for a couple days and then we'll see how it is and if we need to see the doctor before I go back.

Once we got home we had Groucho's for lunch. It was my first time and it was sooo good! Sarah got a job there and really likes it. A little Sunday afternoon nap and then my mom and I went swimming. Now I am about to go spend some time with my grandma. I plan on beating her in a few games of dominoes!! Wish me luck, she can be tough!

The end of the summer program...

2011-08-06T11:16:00.000-04:00

The summer program ended with a banquet. First the staff served the students, then some of the students served all of the guests. Afterwards, there was a talent show. There were about 17 different people who did things. Most of them sang. Some were pretty good...others no so good :)

The next day we packed and cleaned our apartment to prepare to leave the following day. We did a REAL good cleaning, not like the ones we had done before. I had done most of my packing the day before. I just had to pack toiletries and my laundry. I went to bed early, since I had to get up for my flight out early the next morning... I am coming home!

The next day, Friday, I flew out at about 12, although we left the apartment by 7 because other students were leaving as well. I had a layover in Atlanta and I didn't get home til about 8. It was a pretty long day and by the end I know I was tired. I hadn't told my grandma that I was coming home, and so on the way home we stopped in and surprised her. It was so good to see her. She was quite shocked! She said, "I thought I was seeing things" It was a great day. I missed seeing two of my aunts who had visited my Grandma over the summer, but I was able to see my Aunt Pat who was visiting from TX, for a little while. I hadn't seen her in 9 years.

I am very glad I participated in the Summer Youth Program. I think it helped prepare me for what I will experience and learn in the adult/intense program. I feel like I can cook a few small things, I learned how to do my laundry, clean a whole house, worked on new technology things and my travel skills are still a work in progress! I am hoping to be able to have someone, like my doctor, look at my knee and hopefully it will be ok. It survived many falls and while I will have a scar for the rest of my life, I will have a story to tell to go along with it!

The Evening

2011-07-31T20:32:00.000-04:00

The Sleepover ended up not happening, there was not enough interest. We ended up all going to one apartment to snack on the food we had gotten for the sleepover, which I was fully in favor of! So, it was quite an interesting time...

We decided we were going to make cookies and there were two pans of cookies for all of the people that were there. So, when one of the girls was putting the pans in on the bottom rack the oven mit hit the heating part and caught on fire. Naturally, that was pretty overwhelming and she wasn't quite sure what to do at first. Once she caught up she put it under water and it was all good. Her hand was a little burned but she was okay.

Today on Sunday I was able to sleep in until 10:30! Then I got ready to go. MRs. Ross was picking me up for lunch. We had such a good time. We went to this great pizza place, then went to Cold Stone, I got chocolate devotion. We picked up some things from Target and Walgreens and then they dropped me off. We had a great time. I am so glad they were able to come.

Today I was going rock climbing as well as zip lining. First of all I had alot of fun even though it took alot out of me as far as energy goes. The path we walked on to get to where we were going to climb was very rough a a little difficult to manuever. Once we got to the climbing area, we had to put on these climbing shoes, which were not comfortable. I then climbed the easiest mountain available. Some of the footholds were difficult to get ahold of, but I was able to do it. I was able to climb to the top. I then halped hold the rope for people climb the mountain which was a little difficult but another student and one staff was there with me so it was fine. Then I went Zip lining!! That was a blast! We didn't go the whole way we maybe went a half a mile. I pulled myself across a line, it gets more difficult as you get higher up. Once you get to the top, the landing, you let go and go as fast as you want back! It is so much fun! Then we went back to the aparts. On the way bacck I suggested that we stop for a shake somewhere!! So we stopped at McDonalds! What a great suggestion. Once I got back I crashed since it had been such a long day.

2011-07-29T20:04:00.000-04:00

Learning more

2011-07-26T19:00:00.000-04:00

Today I went to work again. I made some more phone calls for donations. I left alot of messages, but also talked to quite a few people. I feel like we may have gotten, or may get, a couple donations. There were a few people who seemed interested, which is good! I was also a part of one meeting. I was planning on having a hot pocket for lunch...but the woman who took me to Noodles yesterday offered to take me again and I just couldn't resist! So, I had a fabulous lumnch.

Once, I got back to the center, I had technology. In there I learned how to compose an email on outlook. I have been just replying. So, that was good to learn. Now I just have to remember everything I am taught!

Tonight, I am making chicken parmesan and we are getting together with someother people for dinner(like two or three). It will be fun.

Another day...with NOODLES!

2011-07-25T19:10:00.000-04:00

Today I went to work, starting my second and final week of it. I was supposed to have brought my computer to make the phone calls again...but I forgot. Whoops! So, instead they had me be a fantastic receptionist and answer the phones as they rang! haha I also was able ti sit in on a few business meetings today as well. Another higghlight of day, is the one of the interns that is taying for a longer time than I am, drove me to Noodles and Company for lunch! What a treat that was for me! We had a great time.

Once I got back to the center I had braille. My teacher had me do some grade or level two stuff. I knew what every letter stood for. Then we came home.

Go ball

2011-07-24T18:48:00.000-04:00

Today I woke up relatively early and got ready to play a game called "go ball". It is a gameget on your knees, and when you hear the ball coming you lay down and try to block it. The ball maakes a clicking sound as it rolls across If the ball ever bounces to high when you throw it back to the other side. you then have to throw the ball alone, which is very difficult.

Once I got home, I was able to get on skype and talk to my sister, Sarah for a little while as well as my parents for a little while. I love them all so much and miss them greatly!

Phone calls

2011-07-21T20:42:00.000-04:00

Today before going to the bus stop I stopped at the coffee shop to get a frappachino. mmm! Then i went on my way to finish up my first week of work!

Once I got to the South Metro Denver Chamber, they said that I wasgoing to make some phone calls today. Before I started that They sent me to a business meeting at a restaurant. There was a nice man who bought me a muffin and some juice. The meeting was pretty interesting. Plus the restaurant was right next door, that was nice.

Once we got back from the meeting,, someone helped set me up with the phone calls. I set up my lapptop which had the numbers and what I was supposed to say. I listened to what I was supposed to say several times and then tried it. It went good. I didn't get many done today. I didn't get any donations either, but I have ALOT to go for next week!

Getting back to the center was a little difficult...I fell yet again today! I don't know when it is going to end. I also had trouble finding the entrance to the center. I wonder if I will ever get it.

Learning the phones

2011-07-20T21:00:00.000-04:00

Today I went to work and they taught me how to use the phones. They had given the center for the blind a list of all of the extensions and they typed them all out in a formate in which it would be easy for me to listen. Then they emailed the list to me. Once I got there they showed me the phone, how to put it on hold and transfer it to another person. Once people started calling I got a little nervous, I am not going to lie. I was interrupted a couple times to go to business meetings, otherwise I did that all day. By the end of the day I was getting pretty good at it. I did mess up what I was supposed to say a few times though. It was a good day.

Moving on out!

2011-07-19T19:45:00.000-04:00

Today was my second day at the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. They will be moving into another building in the next couple weeks, so today I helped a couple of people pack some stuff up. I also sat in a couple of meetings. It was another good day at the office. Although...on the way home, I fell off of the sidewalk once again and my wound opened up again. I am so sick of this! I wanted to talk to the nurse at the center but she was in meetings when I got back. I am hoping it is not infected.

Now I am just hanging out at the apartment. Tonight I have to clean the living room as well as sweep and mop the entry. Otherwise that is it for the day!

The new job

2011-07-18T23:31:00.000-04:00

Today I was starting my job. I left for and on the way, dressed in business casual clothes, ran into a pole and fell off the sidewalk. Not the start to a great job experience that I was hoping for! Once I got there, it got better.

I was a part of three business meetings throughout the day. One was where we all introduced ourselves and talked about the plans for the enxt month. The second was with the marketing comittee to talk about that kind of stuff. Then the third and final was with the president and founder to talk about some different kinds of things. It was pretty cool to meet him. The only down part of the job today was that the person who was supposed to pick me up was pretty late...to say the least! It all worked out ok though.

I will be working here for two weeks then the summer program is over. I am excited to be making some money and it seems like it will be a pretty fun job. The people all seem to be nice. I know this a great experince.

The weekend

2011-07-17T16:56:00.000-04:00

This weekend I didn't do too much. I got picked up at my apartment by my good fiend, Alicia. We didn't do much on Saturday night, just relaxed. Sunday morning we all woke up and went to church and heard a fabulous sermon by Joe. After church there was a picnic. Then we all fellowshiped before Alicia took me back to the apartment.s.

Another week down

2011-07-16T11:59:00.002-04:00

It is so hard to believe that another week is already gone. There is only a few weeks left of the summer program. Then I will be beginning the adult program where I will be living with only one other student. That program is a little more intense. I am very happy that we decided to do this summer program to ease into the whole atmosphere and environment of everything.

Today in braille, I was working on my slate and stylus. Which I think I have mentioned before, I struggle with. I have been working with it for a while now, and haven't seen much improvement. Today my teacher decided that it would be best to put aside the slate and stylus for a while and continue learning braille. I agreed. I think continueing to further my braille is better than wasting my time with the slate and stylus.

Overall, it is all still going good. I miss everyone back home. I hope you all are doing well.

draft

7/15/11

First few days back

2011-07-13T21:20:00.000-04:00

The first few days back since being back from FLorida have gone pretty good. It has been tough returning from such a good trip, but I know we all need to learn a whole lot more. It is so hard to believe that the summer program is already half over. I think that I am one of the very few who is staying for the adult program in the falll and everyone else who I mention that to seem very happy that they are leaving. This program is challging, but I know it is good for me. I am learning so much from it and it is a great thing for me to be at. I know it is a God thing.

My week in Orlando...

2011-07-10T17:26:00.000-04:00

First of all, I did not go to Disneyworld, nor did I ever even leave my hotel! We flew out last Saturday (July 3) at 8 am. Sunday we were able to just relax and get rested up for the busy week. We received a food allowance each day and were on our own to get our meals. The convention began on Monday. Most days were meetings and there were exhibits on display. There were several cool new technology things, including a new smart phone. A guy was there who was the first man to test the car designed for a blind person to drive. He drove it on a test track in NC and it was voice activated in order for him to use. Each state had an opportunity to stand and be recognized and because the school that I am at is funded by the National Federation for the Blind, we had a special open house one evening. I met my NFB friends from the Aiken chapter and spent a couple hours with them, which was fun. The hotel complex seemed very big and was a challenge for me to get around. I got lost a couple of times, but there was staff that was available to help. Friday night there was a closing banquet where there were several awards given out and much was said about the philosophy that just because we are blind shouldn't limit what we can do. We had to leave for the airport Saturday morning at 5 am, only to get to the ticket counter and be told that our flight had been cancelled. We stayed there until around early afternoon and were finally told that we would be put up in a hotel at the airlines expense and flown out early Sunday because there were no flights that day. We were all very tired by the time we got to our hotel and since we had to leave at 3 am this morning, it was an earl to bed night last night. Mrs. Thomas, I probably beat you to bed! SO, I got up at 2:45 this morning and our flight was delayed, but we ended up getting upgraded to business class, which meant we got an in-flight meal and we finally got back to our apartment about noon mountain time. Because of the hectic last two days, we are getting tomorrow off and will start back to school on Tuesday morning. Overall, I had an interesting trip and now it is back to the routine until the summer program ends Aug. 5.

Off to Orlando!

2011-07-03T08:43:00.000-04:00

Saturday was a fun day. It was the first day I actually slept in :) I get up at 5 am every morning :( After eating a late breakfast, we all went to Walmart for those who needed to pick up a few things before the trip tomorrow. We had lunch at IHOP (which reminded me of Grandma Z. and Aiken...) and then some of us girls went to get our nails done. I decided to have my fingernail done and it was so much fun! I used to bite my nails and now that I don't, it was fun to do this. We spent the afternoon packing and getting ready. I am still having some issues with my internet connection to my computer and the IT guy from the school will be helping me tonight. We have to be at the bus stop at 5 am tomorrow for the ride to the airport. For those of you who don't know, the Denver airport iseast of the city and out quite a ways. With all of us needing assistance, we are getting there in plenty of time for our 8 am departure. I will not be bringing my computer so I will not post until next weekend when I return.

one more down...

2011-06-30T19:23:00.000-04:00

I flew back to Denver by myself from Augusta on Monday. I had an airline attendant help me through Atlanta and everything went well. I have had a class on how to take pictures, which was pretty interesting. On Tuesday we had an information session on the upcoming trip to the National Federation for the Blind National Convention in Florida next week. I will be leaving Denver and Flying to Orlando on Sunday and will not return until the following Saturday. There will be a lot of workshops as I will have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and from all over the country. On Wednesday we went canoeing and hiking. I canoed for the morning and then when we took out lunch break, I went hiking for the rest of the day. I was exhausted from all that activity! I seemed to have a hard time staying on the path, but there was one sighted person who help me stay the course :) Today we made a kind of camera and actually took a picture with it...we'll see how that goes. I also made some sausage and cheese crescent roll things in my home management class which were actually pretty good. I did fall again this week, on the same knee that has had the scab reopened now 3 times. I think I need a skin graph! We have a room inspection once a week and we all have jobs to do to clean. We take turns doing the different things - this week I had the bathroom :( We also take turns making the evening meals - I don't remember if I posted that I made chicken parmesan and it turned out great! I haven't had my turn this week yet. Aunt Laura, a slate and syllus is a metal thing that is about 14 inches long and 2 inches wide with a hinge at one end. I put a piece of paper in it and can make my own Braille punching out the dots with the syllus. I don't really like it because I'm not very good at it. I have done my own laundry and I don't have any big tips on how they taught me...I know what my clothes are and based on what my Mom taught me, I just kind of do it. We finally got the internet hooked up in our room and to my computer, so hopefully this will all go smoother now. I will try and post one more time before I leave.

Weekend visit

2011-06-26T15:45:00.000-04:00

I traveled home with my parents and Sarah on Friday to be in South Carolina for a wedding. It has been so nice being home. I must say, even though it's only been two weeks, it seemed strange to drive places, instead of walking and taking public transportation! It was also nice to have my Mom's cooking and sleeping in my own bed, even though I'm in a different room. Yes, I barely had landed in Denver when Andrew moved into my old room...I was able to spend some time with my Grandma, which was very nice. She doesn't hear the phone when I have tried to call her, so I hadn't even spoken to her since I left. I most likely will not be back in Aiken until Christmas and that's a long time to not see her. The wedding of Christy and Dan was so special. I had a wonderful time meeting most of Mrs. Thomas's siblings - they are all so sweet. It was nice to be at my church this morning and visit with my church family. I think the router for the internet arrived so I should have wifi access now in my apartment. My next post will hopefully be done by myself from my room!

The Past Week

2011-06-23T20:57:00.000-04:00

Sorry for not having a post recently- my apartment has no internet and we are waiting on the router to come. I'm at a friends house posting this :)
This past week I have learned how to scrambled eggs, somewhat how to do my own laundry, clean a kitchen top to bottom, and I am getting much better at using the slate and stylus (something used for braille). I feel like this week has been better than the last, still a struggle, but I'm seeing the results. This week I was able to go to my favorite restauran, TWICE, Noodles & Company and get my favorite food, MAC & CHEESE! I was quite excited about this. Even though I feel once or twice it was still a great week. Back to sister time :)

Great weekend

2011-06-19T19:59:00.000-04:00

I had a wonderful weekend with my parents and Sarah. They picked me up at my school around 4 pm on Friday. I gave them a tour, using my caning abilities of course (!), and then I went to their hotel and stayed with them until I have to return Sunday night. We had a great lunch with the Peterson's on Saturday and then attended the wedding of Aaron and Mallory. It was so much fun! Today we all went to church and then lung out at the Beach's all afternoon. I will be returning to my apartment tonight and get ready for another week.

First Week

2011-06-18T12:57:00.000-04:00

I survived the first week! I did not have access to the internet in my apartment or at the school, therefore I wasn't able to post anything until now. Before I go into details, my room purchased two months of wifi, so now that should be better!

There have been many up's and down's this week. The ups have been learning to make scrambled eggs, learning to ride the bus and light rail, and my favorite - working on braille! haha The down's have been I have fallen off of the bus once and on the sidewalk once. I ran into poles a couple of times as well. I am sure that will not be the only timel. I have been working on my computer skills as well. Even though this progam is difficult, it is very good for me. I know the outcome of it will be great. Once it is all said and done I will be so glad that I did it. Right now it is tough but it is so clear that it is a God thing with everything surrounding it. I am so happy that I am a part of it.

I have a counselor in my room and two other roommates. By the way, I got to switch to the bottom bunk because the girl who was there moved out to the living room couch so she didn't have to listen to the breathing machine. My parents and Sarah arrived yesterday and my Mom brought me earplugs :) I have a cold so that is making me feel a bit under the weather. I am looking forward to the weekend with my family and going to the wedding of Aaron and Mallory.

First Couple of days

2011-06-12T17:47:00.000-04:00

The plane ride up here went pretty good. The flight from Columbia to Atlanta was very good. The flight attendant who guided myself and the other student was very helpful. In Atlanta, it was good but the flight attendant wasn't quite as nice as the previous one. Once we arrived in Denver we met Mr. Brent. The rest of the day was pretty relaxed.

My roomates are alright. I feel like as time goes on hopefully I will get to know them better and it will get better with them as well as my counselor. On Saturday I woke up and my counselor told me what the options were for breakfast and expected me to make it. I chose a frozen waffle, that sounded like the easiest. I put it in the toaster, which happens to be right by the sink, took it out and poured what I thought was the syrup on it and brought it over to the table. As I took my first bite I realized that it wasn't syrup, I had poured dish soap on my waffle! I also, the same day, tripped on the curb and skinned my knee. Needless to say Saturday was not the best day - although it got a lot better later on when Alicia Beach picked me up and took me to a party. At the party, I hung out with her and her brother Andrew. Later, her parents, Mr Joe and Miss Karen showed up. My favorite part of the day was hanging out with Mr Joe. He sat at my side and had a great conversation with me except when he was listening to the baseball game in his ear. Later, I went home with the Beaches and spent the night.

Sunday was great day. Today I am with my friends. I went to their church and listened to a very good sermon on the Holy Spirit preached by Adam Beach. They also honored me for their graduation service since I was not able to be honored today at my home church. After the service there was a lunch and a delicous chocolate cake! I'm now spending the afternoon with the Beach family as they watch more baseball and plan out the upcoming wedding. They have a large pet rat that is crawling around on everybody.

Tomorrow we start the whole program, officially. We will see how it all goes. Please keep me in your prayers.

Preparing to Leave

2011-06-10T07:56:00.000-04:00

My bags are all packed! The family is all coming with me to the airport, except for one of my brothers who is out of town on an internship. I am so excited and nervous. Right now my nerves are more than my excitement. I leave for the airport in about thirty minutes...WOAH! My mom made french toast for breakfast which was very sweet of her. I will let you all know how the flight goes. I have to make my way through the airpot with airpine rep, my family can't go with me to the gate. I will keep you all posted!

One more day...

2011-06-09T06:57:00.000-04:00

Today is my last day in South Carolina. I have to finish packing and I have an appointment to pick up my new computer with all the gadgets installed on it in order for me to use it. It will be hard to say good-bye to my Grandma whom I have spent much time with over the last three and half years. I am hoping to be able to skype with my family, but Grandma won't have that capability. I am having dinner with a someone who has mentored and encouraged me in so many ways during my time in high school. Hopefully with everything going on, I won't have much time to think about leaving :(

Two more days

2011-06-08T06:45:00.000-04:00

It's hard to believe that I will be leaving South Carolina in just two days. Those two days will be busy with meals out with friends and family and my Mom and I haven't even started packing! It is difficult to think about packing for such an extended length of time, and with the weather so much different than here, but we'll figure it out!

The Countdown...

2011-06-04T20:32:00.000-04:00

The excitement of graduation is over after anticipating it for so long! The year went by so quickly. I have less than a week before I leave on my big adventure. This week will be busy with packing and doing those things that I won't get to do for several months. I'm excited and nervous at the same time.

Back Home

2008-06-23T23:24:00.001-04:00

Well, unfortunately I have to go back to South Carolina tomorrow. :( These trips always go so fast...it seems like we just got here and now we are leaving. Although I do have to say...I did take advantage of the no tax on clothes thing! :) haha Unfortunately, I (as well as my mother and brother) have to leave tomorrow. Well, I better go

Vacation

2008-06-20T17:15:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to let you all know that I am currently out of town. I am in Wisconsin at a pastors conference

Happy Graduation!

2008-06-05T07:23:00.001-04:00

I just wanted to post a quick post and say Happy Graduation to all of those who are graduating sometime this week. My brother's graduation is today...that is kind of scary I much say...Well, I'm going to go eat some breakfast! Yum!

Yay!!

2008-06-03T14:45:00.001-04:00

Today my grandma and grandpa from Minnesota are coming to visit. Yay!! I can't wait to see them (and play Phase 10 of course)! We will have so much fun! They are coming for Matthew's graduation, which is this Thursday. It will be a lot of fun having them here! Well, I have to go my homebound teacher is coming in a little while.

Plugging away

2008-05-14T08:51:00.002-04:00

Well, I had A LOT of school to catch up on. But, I've been plugging away at it and the huge pile is slowly getting smaller. Thank goodness. I'm not doing science this year, but I will take that next year. I have stopped taking two of my pills (the pills for my thyroid and pituitary gland) but we are hoping and praying that what the pills did, God will heal.

Back in the swing of things

2008-05-10T09:29:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited! Today at noon Sarah and I are going to go babysit Ellie, Lily, and Jenna. This will be my first babysitting job since surgeries! Yay! So that's really awesome and totally a God thing.

Last night Sarah had a friend spend the night, she actually leaves here in like 15 minutes I think.
But, I think they had fun. We all played life and then they went to play video games and stuff...

Well, that's all that is going on here. Hope all is well with you guys. Talk to you later!

Emily

Can't wait!!

2008-05-08T22:08:00.002-04:00

I am so sick of doing school! I am more than ready to be done with it. I've found out that I like school a whole lot better when I am actually going there.

I also can't wait to go to Minnesota and Wisconsin this Summer. In Minnesota it's my grandparents 50th anniversary and in Wisconsin there is a pastor's conference that we always go to. So those will both be fun. Otherwise my summer is pretty boring. I'm going to have to do school into part of the Summer.

School is going pretty good for me. I just got a 100% on an Algebra test!! Woo woo!! Tomorrow, my English homebound teacher, who is actually someone who goes to our church comes. So, hopefully that will go good. Well, I'm hoping mom will agree to the idea of going to Atlanta Bread Company for a bagel in the morning...wish me luck!! :D

Well, I think I'm going to go to bed.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

2008-05-01T17:12:00.002-04:00

Well, my birthday is tommorow! Yay!! I have no idea what I'm getting because I didn't give any ideas. :D Tonight I'm going to school for a Beta Club Induction thing. We are actually about to go. Then we are going to go out to eat....not sure where though. Matthew, Sarah, Mom, and I are all going. Dad is at the National Day of Prayer thing. Well, I have to go. Talk to you later

Nothing Going On.....

2008-02-21T08:24:00.002-05:00

Nothing going on here really.....I'm doing pretty good. I get tired a lot, but otherwise I'm fine. I'm really weak, but otherwise I'm okay. I'm really tired a lot. I've had a couple of fainting out spells in the foyer. Otherwise nothing new here.....

Surgery

2008-02-03T19:39:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to let you guys all know that tomorrow I will have another surgery.....which A. means I won't be on for a few days and B. means I won't post for a few days. Just wanted to give you guys the updates. Please keep me in prayer tomorrow especially.

Quick Update

2008-02-03T11:57:00.000-05:00

I just wanted to write a quick note letting everyone know that everything is going good. I feel pretty good overall. I get tired easily and take a lot of naps but otherwise I feel fine! Nothing going on here.....hope all is well there!

Same old

2008-01-31T08:03:00.001-05:00

Nothing new really to report. Just thought I'd write a quick note to pass the time. I took a pill and can't eat breakfast for another 30 minutes....Nothing going on today. No doctor appointments or anything. Otherwise nothing new here. Hope all is well there.

Feeling Good

2008-01-21T21:15:00.000-05:00

First of all I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. Second, Thank you for all of your prayers and concerns. I'm actually feeling pretty good today, or at least right now. Hopefully it will continue on through the evening and into tomorrow and I will feel good tomorrow also. Well, otherwise, nothing new here that I know of. Tomorrow is going to be a great day and the next one even better. Hope you have a good day too!!

EMily

2008-01-09T07:41:00.000-05:00

My mom is helping me iwth this update...but, my short term memory isn't all there....so my mom is going to help me.

We had my surgurey Dec. 17 and it went well. We have a follow up visit next week and another MRI. I will keep you posted with the results.

My family has been great about reminding me of thing and answering my endless questions...which I tend to ask frequently...I feel pretty good most of the time although I get tired easily. Otherwise, everything has been fine.

Hope you all are doing fine and had a great New Year!!

EMILY

Brain Tumor

2007-12-20T12:46:00.000-05:00

Well, after going to a couple different doctors, I do have a brain tumor called a craniopharangeoma or somethining crazy like that. Over all, I'm feeling pretty good I have headches, stomach aches, and osme other minor things but nothing too serious. I'm ready to go home though and I just got here. Today, Sarah, Andrw, mom, dad, grandma, and Uncle Andy all came up for a ittle while. It was nice. Well, I'm going to go, ttyll

Emily

Freaking out here....

2007-12-06T19:32:00.000-05:00

As I said in my previous post....I think...I had another apointment today. Well, they took some tests, one of which didn't work so I have to go back tomorrow, and he still isn't sure of what is wrong. We asked about a couple different ideas we had and he said he didn't see any signs of them. In a way thats good because our ideas were serious, like brain related stuff. But, it's KILLING ME!!!! Not only do I have troubles seeing but no one knows whats wrong and it'd driving me nuts. One thing I've already learned from this is that it's a whole lot easier to be a good believing Christian when the bad thing is happening to someone else. I've always been the one to say have faith, its ok, He will do it on His time....now I don't know if I'm believing it myself when all the poeple around don't know whats wrong, let alot have a cure. I have another appointment tomorrow. After this test tomorrow he said he doesn't know. He said we can try glasses, but in the eye exam test my doctor said there isn't a strong enough perscription. AKA: glasses won't help. So, after this test, I'm done. Whether they know how to fix me or not. I don't know if I can hold myself together any longer.......

Appointment

2007-12-06T07:12:00.000-05:00

Well, we still don't know whats wrong. The appointment Tuesday didn't tell us much. I went to two different doctors and I have another appointment today. I'm giong to a docotr I went to Tuesday, because he wants to see my eyeys when they aren't dialated.

On a happier note, Grandma comes home today, i can't wait to see her again. I'm going to try to go over there tonight.

I have to get ready for school, but splease pray for my appointment this afternoon. Pray that they will be able to figure out whats wrong and be able to fix the proble....thanks
emily

Quick prayer

2007-12-04T21:01:00.001-05:00

I can't talk long, but I would like to post a prayer request.....I will try to make this short and semi-interesting,,,also, I apologize for any spelling/grammar errors. :)

I have had neck problems which have caused headches, it is hereditary. I have been going to the Chiropractor regularly and it has been helping, I haven't had as many headaches. Well, a little over a month a go I was having alittle bit of trouble reading. I told mom and I had an eye exam. My right eye was pretty good and my left eye wasn't so good. With just my left eye open I could only see the big E. Because my right eye was pretty good it evened out and the doctor said I didn't need glasses. Well, since then, it has been getting harder to read the board at school and as a result I haven't been doing as weel at my work. Also, I have been getting headaches everyday again. So, I went to the eye doctor again yesterday thinking I would just get glasses and be done with it. I had another mini exam because they wanted to make sure the perscription was still right....it wasn't. My eyes, mainly/especially the left, had gotten WAY worse. The doctor said that he couldn't correct my vision with glasses because it was so bad. He also said it is very unusual for it to get this bad within 1-2 months. AKA: he doesn't know whats wrong. So, today I go to a specialist. I take a couple tests, he says he isn't sure either (yet) and I have to go back THurday. Basically, i'm scared to death!!! I have problems seeing and reading, I have headaches everyday, I have a TON of school right now with the quarter almost over, I'm TOTALLY stressing out and now no one knows whats wrong with me! PLEASE PRAY!!!!!!!!

Scared, confused, and stressed,
Emily

Point Of Grage (POG)

2007-12-01T22:27:00.001-05:00

Today we were quite busy. Sarah had Christmas play practice from 9-11 and then she came home, we had lunch, then we went to babysit Ellie, Lily, Jenna, and two other kids. Aunt Denise is out of town with a couple of friends in Atlanta Christmas shopping so we thought we'd give Uncle Andy a break, as well as one of the other dads. They went golfing....fun!! Then Uncle Andy dropped us off at the mall and when mom got off we got an early Christmas preasant!!! We, Mom, Sarah, and I, all went to a Point of Grace concert. It was sooooooooo much fun!!!! There was this other guy, Scott Krippayne, who was going to be there. At first I was kind of thinking 'oh man, now we will have to sit throught this boring guy....' then he sang.....he was AWESOME. We had so much fun!!!! We got a Christmas CD of Scott Krippayne for like only 8 dollars! It was a lot of fun. Now I'm really tired. I have a bunch of homework to do tomorrow, I have nursery in the evening, and I really wanted to set up our little Christmas tree (a couple yrs ago Sarah and I bought a 4 ft. tree for our room). We haven't had time to put it up and Christmas is only like 24 days away!!!! So, I have quite a busy day ahead of me. I better go to bed. 'Night! Have a great rest of the weekend.

Emily

Dad's Birthday

2007-11-30T19:45:00.000-05:00

Well, tomorrow is dad's birthday. We decided to celebrate tonight. We went to his favorite restaurant, Macaroni Grill in Augusta, then came home and gave him his present. We all chipped in and got him a bike trainer which is this thing to put your bike on inside. You can set the difficulty and it's actually pretty neat. It's just in time for the winter season when he can't bike outside, because it's so cold. Well, I have to go because dad is going to open it now. haha Have a great weekend.

EMily

Quick Update

2007-11-27T07:12:00.000-05:00

Following up my last post I thought you would want to know how Sarah is doing. Well, God healed her!! Yesterday morning she still didn't feel good but she rested all day and but evening she was feeling MUCH better. I'm so happY! It was so sad to see her in so much pain and so sad.

Good news at school...we have this BIG paper and the final thing counts as four test grades in one class, they are having us turn in rough drafts so they can help us get our final one really good. Friday we turned in a rough draft that was going to count as one test grade. To make a long story short the one I turned in to my English teacher, she said it was the best in the class and she was very disappointed with everyone elses and mine got a 97%!!!!!! I"m so happy! haha

Well, I have to go finish breakfast and get read to go.

Emily

Back to reality

2007-11-26T06:45:00.000-05:00

Well, it was nice while it lasted. Today dad and Andrew goes back to work and Matthew and I go back to school.... :( Grandma and Grandpa have to leave today, I have to say goodbye this morning because they leave before I get back from school. We had a really good visit but it's sad to see them go.

All day yesterday Sarah wasn't feeling too good and then last night her stomach started hurting really bad. It was hurting mainly on her left side, or whatever side your appendix is on, and so mom called the nurse hotline number. They said that they weren't sure but it sounded like her appendix needed to be taken out and she needed to go to the emergency room. So late last night, about 10 I think, dad took Sarah to the hospital. After several tests they still weren't sure so then they had her get a drink and wait two hours and then they took a cat scan. After the cat scan they realized it wasn't her appendix, but they didn't know what it was. So, they released her. They got home at 4. They kind of wasted all that time because there wasn't a conclusion made and Sarah was/is still in pain. So, I just wanted to let you guys know that if you could keep her in prayer and I'll keep you posted. Thanks.

Emily

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!

2007-11-21T22:01:00.000-05:00

Hey, I can't talk long but I just wanted to wish everyone a very very happy thanksgiving. What are you all doing? I hope you remember not only to have fun, eat a lot of good food, and spend time with family but to thank God for all He has given you/us. Our lives are so busy that we often just try to survive, let alone stop and think a moment of how much God has blessed us and helped us. We need to all try to remember to thank Him for all he does, has done, and will do in our lives. Have a great day and eat some turkey for me!!

Emily

Quick Note

2007-11-20T18:34:00.000-05:00

I just thought I'd type a quick note. I'm not sure if I will be able to post again before Thanksgiving, so in case I don't, Happy Thanksgiving. Hope you have a great day. Grandma and Grandpa got here today. I have been looking forward to today for a long time. I not only get to spend time with grandma and grandpa this week but I have a 5 day weekend!!! Tomorrow mom, Sarah, the two grandma's, and I are all going to Atlanta Break Company tomorrow for breakfast. I can't wait! Mom, Sarah, and I used to go every now and then in the summer and when I was home schooled to get bagels. I miss it alot. They have really good bagels. haha Anyways, so we are doing that tomorrow. Thursday everyone is coming over for Thanksgiving and I don't think we have any plans for the rest of the week, just hanging out and having fun. School didn't go so good today so I'm very ready for a fun relaxing weekend. I have a little bit of homework but I have five days to do it and it isn't that much. Well, I have to go. Talk to you later.

Emily

Nothing much

2007-11-15T07:05:00.000-05:00

Well, not much is going on here. Sarah is out of town with a friend (who is also home schooled) and her sister. They are in NC where her friends older sister goes to school. They are staying in the apartment with the sister and three other room mates. She is having a lot of fun. It's actually kind of sad because we are all sad and missing her and we call her and she is having a ton of fun. lol No it's not sad, I'm glad she's having fun.

Yesterday Matthew, Andrew, and I all went and got flu shots. It actually didn't hurt that bad (I was really nervous about that....) but it has hurt (a little) ever since. This morning as I was getting ready I noticed it was a little swollen. After we got them the doctor said if they get swollen to take benedryl but I can't take benedryl because it makes you sleepy and I have to go to school! So, I'm not sure what we're going to do.

Sarah doesn't get back until late Friday night and because it will be late she is just spending the night at the girls house. Mom has Friday off so Friday night mom and I are going to have some mommy and me time!!! I can't wait! I'm not sure what we are going to do yet, maybe rent a movie or something. It'll be fun!

I have a big test today in school, please pray. It is 3-4 pages lond and my teacher keeps saying it is going to be really hard. :( So, I better go so I can study a little bit more before school.

Emily

Babysitting

2007-11-10T11:39:00.001-05:00

Here's the babysitting update. Thursday night we babysat from 7 - 9:30. It went ok. Jenna didn't go to bed really good but Aunt Denise came home and got her to bed. Then mom just picked us up on her way home from work at 10. I was so tired yesterday...because I didn't get to bed until like 10:30 or 11 and I had to wake up at 5:30. Veteran's Day went good. We got to come home early, at around 1:30 or 2. That was really nice, I wish they would let us get out early every Friday....lol So, we babysat last night from 5-12:30. That was a long night. We got there and had pizza and just kind of kept the kids out of Uncle Andy and Aunt Denise's hair while they got ready. They were going to a silent auction. It was a black tie event to Uncle Andy was wearing a tux and Aunt Denise a fancy black dress. They both looked really nice. The only thing was it was outside and Aunt Denise's dress was sleeveless...The kids were pretty good. Ellie and LIly fought a little bit and Jenna was kind of crabby but they all went to bed fine. Today I have some homework but otherwise we're just chilling, which will be VERY nice. Tomorrow mom, Sarah, and I are hopefully going to go see Fred Clause. Well, have a great weekend.

Emily

Busy

2007-11-07T16:15:00.000-05:00

I might not be able to post until the weekend so I figured I'd do a quick one now. Yesterday, or maybe the day before, anyways I signed up to help one of my teachers during my study hall. I really like it because it's with my favorite teacher, I'm always bored in study hall, and the study hall room is really cold. Yesterday I graded some papers (obviously not from my class) and today I did a lot of filing for her. I'm really glad I'm doing it. Tomorrow I have 2 big tests (please pray). Friday is Veterans Day. I'm a part of student council and every year student council puts on a big thing for veterans, so I get to skip all of my classes all day to help with that. I'm bringing a dessert and we have to be there at 7 am!!! A little early for me but I guess it's worth it to get to skip classes. I shouldn't have too much to make up either because for sure the morning classes won't be doing anything too important...I might even get to leave school early!!! So that will be fun. I could've signed up to be on the welcoming committee, set up, escort, or nothing. I signed up to be an escort. So I get to walk little old men down the aisle!! lol We do kind of a big thing for veterans day. First, the veterans come at like 8 and we serve them breakfast and then at like 9:30 we have an assembly honoring them, then at like 11:30 or something we serve them lunch. So it's pretty cool. I go early to bring my dessert, finish some last minute set up and then I am an escort for the assembly, then I help with the lunch (and get some myself), and then I help clean up. So, even though I won't have classes I will be busy but it's worth it! Luckily, one of my friends is doing it too so I will have someone to hang out with. Well, hope you have a great day!

Emily

Praise God!!

2007-11-05T18:36:00.000-05:00

Well, as I said in a post recently, Sarah has been really sick. The docotr said that if she wasn't feeling better by Tuesday that she would need to come back in for a blood test to see if it was mono. Well, Sunday she was beginning to feel better and honestly I didn't have much faith, I figured it was just a good day and she wasn't better. (Sorry God!!) Today came and she still feels good. Praise God! THANKYOU!!! It was SOOOO sad seeing my sister who is usually happy, silly, and goofy all the time in so much pain and so sad. I felt terrible. But, God healed her and she is feeling good and doesn't have mono or the flu anymore!

Emily

Car pics

2007-11-02T19:08:00.001-04:00

These pictures aren't the greatest, but I finally took some. Andrew's car was parked in the garage so his especially aren't good. Dad just cleaned his so it's nice and clean!

Mom and Dad's new car, I think its called a Scion TC?? It looks nice. It has a really cool GPS system, I like it because when you are listening to the radio it will show you the song, who sings it, and then the station. Dad loves it!!

You can't see this picture too good because of the sun.....

Once again you can't see it too well but there is a spoiler.Andrew's car was parked in the garage, so they aren't that good. But, as you can see it is a bright yellow car. I think its called a Lancer. The guy had put race tires, neon lights (inside), and some other stuff. He took really good care of it and waxed it twice a year! Andrew like that...

I'm personally not a huge fan of the big spoiler, but it's Andrew's car not mine...

Hope you enjoyed the pictures, sorry it took me so long

Please Pray

2007-11-02T07:04:00.000-04:00

As I mentioned in one of my other posts, Sarah hasn't been feeling good. Yesterday morning she had a 103 fever so mom took her to the doctor. The doctor said she could have mono. Obviously we don't want Sarah to have mono, that usually lasts for a long time...the doctor said that if it isn't gone by Tuesday to come back in, so we are hoping, praying, and believing that it will be gone by Tuesday. Please pray and believe with us.

Emily

Quick Grade Update

2007-10-31T21:12:00.000-04:00

I'm really tired so I'm going to make this short but a quick praise report. I took a physical science quiz like a week ago that I was really worried about , I got my grade back and I got a 98%!!! I was so relieved and happy. On top of that, my algebra teacher was telling every one that we hadn't done so well on this quiz well she passed them out and apparently I was an exception to the people she was talking about because I got a 101%!! I don't mean to brag or anything I'm just so proud of myself. lol Well, I don't really celebrate Halloween so.....Happy Fall!!!!

Emily

Sick

2007-10-30T20:05:00.000-04:00

Well, first of all I haven't forgotten about the car pictures I just haven't had the chance to take them yet. As soon as I do I will post them. Half the family here isn't feeling so good. Mom just had a BAD dentist appointment and got a flu shot, Sarah has been feeling achy, has had a headache, and her throat has been hurting, I have had a cough, nose is a little runny, and a headache. So we're not doing that good....This morning it was in the 30's....I don't know how Andrew worked this morning at 3 a.m. We just had a four day weekend. We had Friday off for a teacher work day and then Monday off for report cards. I'm SOOOO happy with my report card. I have a 100%, 3 99%, 1 96%, and 1 92%. I am very happy with 5 A's and 1 B but considering the fact that the B is one point away from an A kind of bothers me. I wish I would have done a little bit better on one of the quizzes or tests then I would be able to be on the A honor roll instead of the A-B. A honor roll is obviously good but what makes it even better is in the whole school there were only like 10 who were on it. But, Oh well maybe next time. Otherwise, nothing new here.

Emily

Oops!

2007-10-27T08:56:00.000-04:00

I kind of forgot to tell you guys something kind of important....oops! Well, now you will get the whole story at once. Well, a couple weeks or so (maybe less) Andrew decided that he doesn't really like his car, he never loved it but he figured now he is making enough money to be able to sell it and buy something else. So he had one in mind, sold his car, was going to go look/maybe get this car he had been looking at. Well, it turns out it had just sold. So for the past week or so we have been juggling three cars, four drivers, and four people, all needing cars and all going to different places. On top of that the Miata decides to brake down and needed to be towed to the shop....so now there are two cars! Even worse. Well, somehow we managed, not sure how, but we managed. Dad decided to sell the Miata and get something else....(some TC??) he hasn't put the Miata up for sell but who knows if he ever will. Andrew found another car (I think its a Lancer or something) but it is in Detroit. Luckily the guy is really nice and is paying for one flight ticket and is filling the tank with gas. So, Andrew and Matthew (dad was busy :( )are going to fly up there tonight and are going to buy it and drive back. They should be back tomorrow night sometime.
I will try to post pictures of our new car and then Andrew's new car when he gets it. So yeah lots of purchases and sellings.....

Emily

Happy Birthday!!!

2007-10-25T07:02:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Sarah's birthday. She is now officially a teenager! How scary?!? Sarah had a pretty good birthday I think. She had already gotten all of her gifts so nothing that exciting happened. But, she is very excited for tomorrow....that is her birthday party. We're going to do a mall scavenger hunt and then have a sleepover, and then tonight we're having a sleepover with Grandma. WE HAVE A FOUR DAY WEEKEND!!! lol sorry. Well, I have to go get ready for school ttyl

Emiliy

DS update

2007-10-23T07:06:00.000-04:00

Well the deal on the DS fell through. I did find another good deal though. I can't decide what to do. Here is the story and you tell me what you think:
A Nintendo DS Lite brand new is around $130 I can get a used Black one with a game that I like for $100. Here are the inferences...A. I'm going to be driving and needing a car in a year....the more money I have for a down payment the better. B. I am busy and don't have THAAT much free time and to spend all my free time playing a video game? and C. I want it but A and B are pretty important. I don't know what to do. What do you think?

Emily

DS

2007-10-21T20:43:00.000-04:00

Sarah got a Nintendo DS Lite as you probably know and she has got me hooked! I want one. The only problem is I don't have a job. lol I have money saved but I don't necessarily want to go blow it all on a video game when I will be wanting to buy a car a year from now. But I know someone from church who has one and is selling it. It has a couple scratches on the screen but he is selling it for really cheap. Whenever he gets the chance he is going to bring it over because I want to see the scratches to see if they effect the game play at all but if it doesn't then I am going to buy it because it is a REALLY good deal. Anyways, I won't be able to see it until at least tomorrow.....:( Well, I will keep you posted on my purchasing!!

Emily

Not much to tell

2007-10-18T07:05:00.000-04:00

The title says it all. I haven't blogged in a while but I don't have anything interesting to post! It's nice to have dad home. I think he had a pretty good time. I decided not to go on the field trip. Aunt Lori, to answer your question it's not a whole school field trip. Only the honors English, drama, and speech classes were invited. That's why we have to make up our work. Sarah just got a Nintendo DS and is loving it. She plays it nonstop. It is pretty cool though. It is red and black. Otherwise, nothing new here. It's almost the weekend!!!!!

HE'S COMING HOME!!!!

2007-10-16T06:59:00.000-04:00

Daddy's home!!! I haven't had a chance to talk to him yet because he didn't get home until like 3 a.m. or something. I can't wait to see him. He wasn't gone that long but it seems like a whole lot longer than it was. I've been able to talk to him on the phone a couple times though.

Otherwise nothing new here. My school is taking a field trip to see a 5 act play. I can't decide if I should go. I get to miss all of my morning classes which seems like a good thing but then I have to make up all of the work so...I'm kind of leaning towards not going but we'll see....

Hope all is well with you, have a great week

Emily

Gone

2007-10-12T22:29:00.001-04:00

Well, it's over. It's a little sad but overall I'm happy to get back to normal. They got back tonight, obviously, and they had a great time. Ellie and Lily loved it. Well, I'm really tired but I'll post a couple pictures quick.

Me and Jenna....awww she is so cute! lol
Her favorite time of the day.....lunch!
Matthew and Andrew were so sweet with her this week!
She sleeps so adorable
Jenna's second favorite time of the day, bath time!

Well, I might post more later. ttyl

Emily

They are coming

2007-10-12T06:41:00.001-04:00

I haven't forgot that I said I would put pictures of Jenna up here. I actually have some really cute ones I just haven't had the time to put them on my computer and post them yet. I'll try to get them up this weekend. Sarah and I had to give her a bath last night because mom had to work, I was a little worried but it went good.

As I said in my last post that I got interums, I just want to let you know that all of them were very good. I was really worried about a couple of them and I ended up getting 5 A's and 1 B!! I am soooo happy!

The last several years I have been blessed by being able to have a job....Unfortuately, it had to end when I started school. I was a little worried about how I would make money. Well, the Lord has come through. Here are just a few money earning things I have done, are doing, or about to do. 1. Making Jewelry, I make jewelry sometimes and mom has some stuff that I've made. Well, when she wears it at work employees ask her where she got it and she tells them I made it, so I have been able to sell a few things there and will do more. 2. Dog and cat sitting, about a week ago I fed the two cats across the street, real easy for good pay and this weekend I am going to another neighbors house to let out and feed their dog while they are gone. 3. Babysitting, this has gone down but I still do from time to time. Tomorrow night I'm babysitting this adorable little boy named Gavin. He is so sweet! Well, thats it...isn't God good!?!

Emily

Interims

2007-10-09T15:57:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow interims come out in school. I'm not worried. For the most part. lol I got one of them today, Algebra, because my teacher will be gone tomorrow and that one was very good, 99%!! I'm so happy. Today in Physical Science we had a lab where we had to do this thing with M & M's. It was fun and afterwards we got to eat them! lol I have been very blessed with very good teachers. I used to hate science but I actually kind of like it now because of my teacher and all of the hands-on (labs) we do. Luckily we don't have to dissect any animals....I think. lol The second Tuesday of every month they have this fund raiser, and they buy Domino's pizza and sell it at all of the lunches. I love it!! I get so sick of sandwiches, it is definitely a nice change, even though it is a big rip off.

Jenna is doing pretty good. She is teething and was really crabby Sunday and yesterday, but she is doing a little better today. Sarah is doing great with her! Actually, surprisingly enough, the boys are helping too. Even though they probably won't admit it, they love her soo much!! It's so sweet.

Tomorrow morning, EARLY morning, dad leaves for Alaska. There are some missionaries there that he knows and it's there 50th anniversary or something, do he's going up there. I'll miss him. :(

Otherwise nothing new is going on here. Hope all is well there.

Emily

Another week....

2007-10-08T07:05:00.000-04:00

I'm not ready to go back to school. My alarm went off this morning and for some reason I thought it was still the weekend so I almost went back to sleep but then I remembered. lol Anyways, Jenna has been pretty good. Yesterday wasn't quite as good...she missed her morning nap because we were at church and so she was really tired and grumpy. Because she was overly tired she didn't want to take an afternoon nap either, which I don't understand. So she was pretty grumpy yesterday but hopefully today will be better because today Sarah has her all by herself. It should go fine, if she stays on her schedule she is usually a really good baby. well, that's the update here. Hope you had a great weekend.

Emily

and Here We go!

2007-10-06T10:53:00.000-04:00

And so it begins...Jenna came last night. She had her bath here and was put to bed. She cried a little bit at first, but then was fine. I took the 6:30 feeding shift and Sarah woke up at 8:15 with her. So far its going good. She is napping now and will nap for another 30 min. I really want to go see "The Game Plan" today some time maybe when she takes her afternoon nap. We'll see. Well she is crying so I better go check on her. ttyl

Emily

Here we go...

2007-10-05T07:04:00.000-04:00

Aunt Denise, Uncle Andy, Ellie, and Lily are going to Disney World for a week. They leave early tomorrow morning. We are watching Jenna while they are gone. She comes tonight at around 8 or 9 so bed time. It should go good, Jenna is a good baby. Sarah is doing the most of the work because everyone else will be working or at school, but she knows that and is fine with that. Ellie andd Lily are very excited I'm sure they'll have a great time!

Today at school there is a pep rally, tonight is the homecoming game. I don't really care to stay for the pep rally and it is 7th period so I'm going to get out early!!! Woohoo! lol Mom and I are going to Augusta! I can't wait! I love when I get mom and me time, even though it isn't that often anymore. :(

Last night was a lot of fun. The boys had fun at the game and we had fun here. After school Sarah and I went to grandma's for apple dumplings. Mmmm! They were delicious. We played Scrabble and I put down a 7 letter word and won!!! Yay! Then we came home I did some homework, mom came home we had snack foods for dinner and we watched Broken Bridges. It was really good, we had a lot of fun.

Well, I have to go finish getting ready for school. ttyl

Emily

Girls night!!

2007-10-04T07:14:00.000-04:00

Tonight the boys, dad, and Uncle Andy got tickets to a football game. Mom works until 7 but then we are going to eat pizza and watch a movie and eat junk food!!! it will be so much fun! Well I know this was short but I have to go.

Emily

GO ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2007-10-02T16:02:00.000-04:00

GUESS WHAT!?!?!? For the past 12 years or so, I have had a terrible, terrible habit that is super hard to break. But, guess what? I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have been biting my nails forever! My mom tried everything, bribing me with every possible thing imaginable. So, one day I painted my nails and started to bite, I stopped, thinking that I didn't want to mess up my nails. Thats when I got it! All I have to do is always have my nails painted and I won't bite them. It's been hard, but I haven't been biting my nails for a couple weeks now! I'm so happy!!!! YEAH!! Well, I have to go but I just wanted to share my joy with you!

Emily

Ice Show

2007-10-01T07:08:00.000-04:00

First of all, the ice show was really cool. Ellie and Lily loved it. We got to spend some time with aunt Denise which was very nice. Jena will be coming over here this Sat. and staying for a week while Aunt Denise, Uncle Andy, Ellie, and Lily are going to Disney World. Overall Jena is a good baby so it should go fine. Sarah will do the most of it since everyone else is either at work or school but she'll do fine.

This week is Spirit Week at school. Today is fashion disaster, tomorrow is superhero day, Wednesday is imitate a staff member day, Thursday is fake an injury day, and then Friday is blue and silver (our school colors) day. I have no idea what i'm going to do for the next three days but today and Friday are easy. lol

Well, I have to go get ready to go. ttyl

Emily

Gone

2007-09-28T06:57:00.000-04:00

I just wanted to let everyone know that I won't be on much or at all this weekend. Mom, dad, Uncle Andy, Matthew, and maybe Andrew are all going to drive up to Duke University and take a tour of the college for Matthew. Sarah and I are going to Aunt Denise's spending the night tonight but also tonight going to Disney Princess' on Ice. It should be alot of fun. We don't get to see Aunt Denise, Ellie, Lily, and Jena to often so this will be fun. Anyways, have a great weekend@

Emily

Busy, Busy, Busy!!!!

2007-09-25T16:25:00.000-04:00

Quick note. Thank you for praying for my History Test today. I feel pretty good about it. Tonight will be a late night for me...I have science homework (which I'm not sure how to do), rough draft to get ready to turn in, Bibliography to write (which I have to learn how to do), and a topic outline to do. This is all do tomorrow. I'm so worried and scared and stressed and AHHHHHHH!!!

Emily

Does it feel good!

2007-09-24T19:22:00.001-04:00

Boy, does it feel good to be able to get on the internet every day and check my email and blog. lol I don't like fasting to much but I do it in obedience to God. Anyways, tomorrow I have a huge test in Global Studies (history) and Thursday I have a major test in Physical Science. I'm VERY worried about both of them....This past week our neighbors have been out of town and I have been watching their cats. Sarah and I were going to do it but Sarah didn't care so I did it by myself sense I don't have a job. I was happy to be able to make some money. That is definitely one of the drawbacks of going to school. It was so nice to be 13 and have a job. Oh well, you win some and you lose some. Over all I would prefer to go to school then be home schooled. It definitely is a big change, I already have a huge paper that counts as 4 test grades for two classes, super worried about that too. Well, instead of sitting her talking about all my school work and how worried I am, I better go do some of it. lol Have a great week. I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Emily