And he wants to wait 5 years.....

We babysat Miss E last week. She is so smiley and kicks and kicks and kicks. She's just pure sweetness! Andrew has fallen hard for Miss E. This was evident when I walked into the room and found this:




And he said he wants to wait 5 years....

Life is GOOD!!!!!!! I was just thinking how a year ago, I was a new nurse (I'm still "new", just not as new as some:), working nights, and trying to keep up with Andrew and I's hectic schedule. Those were some dark days (get it- working nights...dark...). Really, they were not fun. I was turning into an old lady working midnights, and Andrew was spent trying to gig all weekend then face 25 2nd graders on Monday. Last winter we made a huge, hard, out of my comfort zone, I don't know what to do, are you sure, GOD? decision: Andrew quit his teaching job, turned down the grade he always wanted to teach, and decided to go full time with the band. Eeeek! Let me tell you, it has been the best decision we've made in our married lives. And I'm on days! Because of our decision to follow God's plan and being blessed with a job on days, we see each other, we sleep in the same bed together, I don't cry as much, he's not as stressed, and most important- our relationship with each other and with God has strengthened. Why is it that when we know God is calling us to do something, our initial reaction is to say no or ask questions when we know deep down that God is the boss, He knows best, and He's always carried through with His plans? The decision wasn't easy and God still hasn't revealed His entire plan, but we rest assured knowing that God hasn't and won't lead us astray.

Let Me Introduce to You....

Miss E! Isn't she just beautiful? This is the first grandchild on both sides of the family, so you know she'll be spoiled. Aunt Kaycee and Uncle Andy have already called dibs on her when a babysitter is needed AND we are the only ones in the family with a swing set (that means she HAS to spend extra time with A.K and U.A!). She definitely has Uncle A wrapped around her precious little finger. ---Quick Story: Andrew and I were walking out of the house after seeing Miss E. I knew he was smitten by her when he said, "Aren't those mittens the cutest things on this planet?" I thought I was going to die laughing!---- I watched her for a few hours the other day, and man can that girl eat! In a 4 or 5 hour span, we had 3 bottles and 2 poopy diapers. Andrew thinks it's good birth control for me ;) Many of my friends are getting babies and I'm trying to keep the baby fever in check. We still have a while, but for now we'll just enjoy playing with our little Miss E! She is sooo precious!

A Poem About My Love For Days.....By Yours Truly

I LOVE DAYS! They are great,
It was nights that I did hate.
No more crying, no more tears,
Now I'm all smiles and cheer.

The End

DAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Soooo....my boss e-mailed me today and said I AM OFFICIALLY ON THE DAYS SCHEDULE!!!!!! Yiiippppppeeee!!!!!!!!!! Words cannot express how much this means for us. We've been praying since October (the night after I started working nights) that a position would open up on days. When I didn't think I could take anymore sleepless days, sleepless nights, 30 hour no sleep runs, nights without Andrew, crying, emotional rollar coasters, etc., I went out on a limb and e-mailed my boss reminding her that I STILL wanted to go on nights. And wallah! I'll be starting nights in August. That's like only 13 more shifts, 13 more nights until we no longer have to sleep alone, 13 more and I will finally be on a normal sleep schedule and hopefully these dark circles will disappear! We are a little excited!

Birthday Weekend- Band Wife Style

Friday
Red Lobster with Phil and Kaitlyn!!!! Love those two, and will soon love three! :)

Saturday
Worked on the new house. It's really coming along. I planted lots of flowers to give it the "curb appeal." Not sure how much I improved the look, but at least it has some flowers. It has to look a little better, right? The night was spent at Ma and Pa Schneider's. Matt cooked up some fiiiinnne pork tenderloin on the grill.

Sunday
My birthday!!!! The day you can do things like eat 5 pieces of cake, or stay in your pj's until 10:00, or stay up late, "because it's my birthday." I LOVE birthdays. I'm also a traditionalist. Every year for my birthday (July 4) we would wake up early, go to the Casey parade, have a swim party, and finish the night with fireworks. This year was WAY different. Andrew had a gig in Springfield, IL at the Capital Building. We were to get there at 8:00 am (meaning alarm went off at 5:45!!!). We made it to Springfield and waited and waited and waited. I ended up reading a book on the Capital Lawn. The gig started at 6:30, so we went shopping and ate Coldstone (Yuuuuuummmy!). The boys played great, it rained, and we went home. On the way home we bought Icee's. I had a large red one- because red is the best, and red is a 4th of July color, and a large was only $.99. It was not my usual 4th of July birthday, but it was spent with my husband and friends. What more could I ask for?



Monday
Off to the farm for us. Mom welcomed us home with pork burgers, watermelon, corn and green beans from the garden, macaroni and cheese, red velvet cake, and homemade ice cream. (I'm a little spoiled.) Later, Jars of Clay and NEEDTOBREATHE were playing in the big town of Martinsville, IL. We love Jars of Clay and had to go. Mom, Dad, cousins, aunts, and even Granny Kay and Grandpa made it out. It was a blast, but I had an even better time watching G&G "rocking out" to the show.

Blended Floats

After going to see Toy Story 3 tonight (I cried 5 times...really, it was 5) we stopped by Sonic and grabbed some Blended Coke Zero Floats. In case you've never had one, it's ice cream and your favorite bubbly beverage (I call it pop, others may call it soda) blended together. So yummy and brilliant. Andrew's never had one and it was love at first sip. He loved it so much we had to stop by QT and grab a Coke Zero so we could make our own when we got home. This is how you make a Schneider Blended Float:

Step 1: Place ice cream in blender

Step 2: Add your drink of choice. Ours was a $.59 Coke Zero from QT.

Step 3: BLEND!!!!

Step 4: Taste and see if it's "just right."

Ours needed more ice cream.

Step 5: Enjoy every sip with your sweetie!