kellyschepphov

Site change

2010-03-15T10:55:00.000-07:00

Changing the ole blog site. Hopefully lots more pictures and video. Steven is going to help with this one :) Here it is...

http://www.stevenhovater.com/kellyhovater/

one year later...

2009-08-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

Today, I sit at our computer, eating my chips and salsa, reflecting on the past year. I spent the morning cleaning which always makes me feel like my brain is a little less cluttered as well and that is a wonderful feeling. A year ago today Steven and I were celebrating our 4 year anniversary. I don't really remember what we did but I do remember the anxiety and peace that surrounded that time. Anxiety normally comes to me pretty easily so for it to be accompanied by such great peace was God working in my heart in awesome ways. Most prominently I was anxious about the plans that God had for us regarding our sweet girls. We had just returned from a mission trip where we anxiously awaited news on a court hearing they had. No real news came from us. Little did we know at the time that there would be several hearings with no news... frustrating to say the least. Profound peace came knowing that God was going to take care of them no matter if that was with us or another family. They were already his to begin with so who was I to arrogantly assume that our home was the best home for them. He had them and was with them at every step. I just had to be patient and with his plan, thus the anxiety. Months of wondering if it would ever come together and then one day it did and they moved to our home the very next day. Wow, was the overwhelming. In one day we were completely assuming the responsibility of TWO 17 month old girls, who are black. Let me tell you, that is a lot from this weak, selfish, anxious, very white girl to take on. I didn't feel equipped to take it all on but I do know that God did. So consistently, almost daily, he affirmed this choice and I am so thankful for the blessings that he has given us. One year later, our lives are dramatically different. I don't wake up to an alarm clock, I wake up to cuddles and kisses. I don't eat when they aren't around because my needs really aren't that important anymore so I forget about them. My house is mess with evidence that children live and play here. My car has a funky smell most of the time that I still can't quite figure out it's point of origin. My afternoons are normally filled with Nemo or Newsies while I agonize over their hair hoping that no one will over look and them and say "they for sure have got to have a white Momma". My evenings are almost nonexistent because being a full-time Momma is a whole new level of tiredness . It is a crazy life but a privileged one where I get watch my favorite person evolve from being a fantastic husband to a fantastic husband AND Daddy. I live such blessed life and today on our five year anniversary, while the house is clean and my sweet babies are sleeping, I get to take a step back and I am still overwhelmed, but this time with His faithfulness.

Staying at home part duex

2009-06-08T19:09:00.000-07:00

Izzy on left, Micah on right. M is making a weird face but that is what happens when you are 2. This picture is from their birthday party a couple of weeks ago. They are officially TWO!

So, it has been almost six weeks since this ole gal retired. The number one question is "How's it going?". My number one answer, "There have been a couple days where I have wanted to rip their faces off but overall it's been great". It really has been good. We have gotten into a good routine and I can already see a greater sense of confidence and stability in them. I feel pretty good about my behavior as far as playing vs. cleaning. There are for sure times when I say, "I can't hold you now because ________", but I think that is totally reasonable. I have to tell you that I have not been awesome about the sleep schedule for them. I mean they are getting enough sleep but maybe not at the most traditional time. Like they have been sleeping in till 9 or 9:30 because we have been out until, well, 9 or 9:30. Should I feel bad about that?

As far as how I am personally working myself into this role that is still evolving. I feel like I am getting "Me" time just in a different way then I was before. Mostly that is because it always includes staying home. I covet my "day off" which means Steven's day off. I get to sleep in and hand over my responsibilities to him for most of the day and let me tell you, it is glorious!! I love my girls deeply but there is nothing like driving alone in your car, feeding just yourself at a restaurant, not having to referee their fussing at each other and walking as slow as I want through the mall. LOVE IT!! It helps me to recharge and be better for them.

Monday the 15th of June is supposedly the finalization hearing for our adoption. I will believe when I see it. Please keep us in your prayers as this will go smoothly and actually happen on the 15th. I'm ready to answer the question, "Are they yours?" with confidence and without further explanation. I want to say "Why yes they are, aren't they perfect?" as they sling their cups across the table, as if their cups were bowling balls and glasses the pins. Just perfect :)

I am retired.

2009-05-03T14:09:00.000-07:00

Well, this is a weird thing to announce, for some reason. I am retired as of last Thursday or more accurately a stay-at-home-Mom. It's weird because it was always something that I really wanted to do but never really thought would happen. Well it has and I must say that I am little freaked out. Everyone keeps saying, "Are you excited?" "You must be so looking forward to this time!". Don't get me wrong, I am so excited but honestly I'm a little embarrassed. The Hovaters are going to be poor, poor, poor but the truth is that we should be able to swing this financially with some discipline and that makes me self-conscious. It is such a privileged place in our society to be a SAHM and I want to be mindful of those that can't or don't want to. It's not for everybody and really I may get 6 months into this and decide it's not for me. Mom's of all decisions should be honored for their "Momdum". Also, I kind of feel like it's a club, an exclusive club that Mom's that don't stay at home with their kids, or kidless people for that matter, aren't invited to be a part of. That makes me sad and also fired up at the same time! I'm sorry that I'm rambling some and maybe even offending someone or two. That is not my intention, it's just me processing what this means for me, our family and our girls. Because I still think it is very important for there to be a 'me' beyond a Momma to our sweet girls. Wow, this is not where I wanted this post to go! I was planning on speaking about making this time to be about memories and not me shooshing them to go play while I slave away in the kitchen or fold laundry. I guess we will figure all of that out over time. I guess that I just want people to know that I while I am so excited to spend every day making memories with my girls, I am also taking this position in our lives with a very heavy heart, realizing the privilege and be so thankful for that while being very thoughtful at the responsibility that I am taking on.

I guess it's about time...

2009-03-22T12:25:00.000-07:00

to go ahead and tackle a beast of a post since it has almost been a year. Kind of a lot has happened. Well not kind of, ABSOLUTELY a lot has happened. The biggest thing is that we have kids now. Yup, it's true, kidS. 2 of them and they are fan-freakin-tastic! I can say that now that they are peacefully sleeping their, hopefully (fingers crossed), 3 hour Sunday nap.

The story goes like this...

Steven was away for the week at school about this time last year. He came home on Wednesday to drop the mother of all bombs just to leave again that night. Awesome. He comes home for church that Wednesday night. We go out to dinner before he has to drive back to Memph. We are having a nice dinner and then out of no where he says "I think that we should adopt" My first reaction, "You have lost your freakin mind!" I know that sounds horrible of me but it was just so difficult for me to process on the fly. It wasn't how I REALLY pictured our family when I was totally honest with myself. I think adoption is one of those things that so many people say they want to do but then never really get around to it. I'll admit, I was one of those. I loved the idea but really, really doing it scared the crap out of me. (Inner dialogue = Would they like me? Could I love a child unconditionally that didn't come from my body? What would people say? What is my Mom going to say? Can we really do this? Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, Oh my gosh, I might throw up and cry all at once) I really didn't know how to process it all so I just cried. How in the world can I tell the man that I love that I don't want to parent a child that needs us. I couldn't so I fought it thinking surely there is a reason why this isn't practical. Every single one God found a solution for. I don't think there has really been a time in my life where I can say that I truly wrestled with God. Now I can. It really wasn't an easy decision for me at all. I was not going to be the girl that talked about it and then didn't follow through. These children deserve more. I wanted to be thoughtful and prayerful and boy was I! I can't recall a time in my life where God so vividly and tangibly worked. It was like neon on lights saying "Do it! Doit!" I didn't want to, it was scary and I felt so inadequate. Finally after months of wrestling I got to a point where I really looked at this for what it was. The only real reason why I wasn't saying yes was because of fear and that fear was driven by satan and I wasn't going to let him have this. It wasn't his. From the very beginning this was God's and I was letting satan make my decision. Not any more.

In the mean time we were getting our certifications and all that yucky paper work together when a couple from our church came to us and said that their girls were going to be up for adoption pretty soon and asked it we would be interested. Again the tears. I don't know why I was so emotional about it all, but I was a total basket case through the whole process. So we said yes, thinking that it probably wouldn't work. God had other plans. So I now I sit here today as Momma of Micah Marie and Israel (Izzy) Ann feeling so proud of them for overcoming so much sin in their birth family's life and so honored that God has blessed and entrusted these precious girls to Steven and I. BYW I think that they do love me and yes, I can totally love unconditionally that doesn't come from my body, my Mom adores them and yes we can do this. There is still lots more processing to happen but we are overjoyed to have them in our lives. The adoption will be final, hopefully, at the first of June. Here they are...

This is Micah

This is Izzy

Finally!!!

2008-04-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

After 7 long years, Steven and I will be making the trip to Memphis this Saturday for his graduation!! I am so proud of him!! 7 long years of driving back and forth to Memphis at least once a week. For all of those who have driven the stretch from LR to Memphis, you know that that in itself is quite the feat. YUCK! On Saturday he will be receiving his Masters of Divinity. I am just so impressed with him. Besides the fact the I married him I just think that it is a big deal for anyone to have accomplished this goal WHILE having a full time job in YOUTH MINISTRY!! It just amazes me every time I think about it. It wasn't like he was just taking a class here and a class there. Most semesters it was 9 hours!!! That's full-time folks! Alright, enough bragging on Steven. I just wanted you guys to share in this joy with us!!

Who Knew???

2008-04-17T05:42:00.000-07:00

So when we first got married, well I guess it started when we were engaged. I had all these questions about what it would be like and what was I getting myself into by contractionally obligating myself to love somebody for the rest of my life . I felt like through out the whole process both Steven and I were ruthlessly honest and genuine with each other but there was still a small part, well let's just be honest here, a HUGE part that wondered what the world of marriage would be like for us. Would I find out some deep, dark secret about Steven that, had I know on the front end, would have been a deal breaker? Would I wake up the next morning in a frantic panic wondering if I made the WRONG decision? Would he continue to be my night in shining armor even after that ring was on his finger? Does that wedding really have magical powers that turn wonderful men into abusive, raging alcoholics? I DID NOT want to be the girl that sat on Oprah in my own puddle of tears saying, "He was so wonderful before we got married and then something happened, something changed. I never saw it coming" (yea, right) You guys have heard all the stories, so naturally I was a little nervous.
Today, I am pleasantly proclaiming to the world that Kelly Scheppegrell married a HANDY MAN!!!! Since we have lived in our house, almost 3 years, Steven has continually impressed me. I will admit, that that my previous expectations of a what a nerdy minister could do physically were a little, umm snobby, but I have changed my ways!!! It all started with changing light fixtures. We changed out all light fixtures in our house but 2 and Steven did them all by himself. I remember being apprehensive at first because of the whole "working with electricity and not being an electrician" thing. I kept picturing my sweet husband dead, by electrocution, leaving me alone to not only look at these hideous light fixtures but pay off this huge loan that we just acquired. Little anxious.
You have to know one thing about Steven before you go judging me, thinking that I am a beast of a wife that doesn't believe in my husband. Steven is RUTHLESSLY confident, almost to a fault. It makes him think "Well of course I can rewire our whole house with my hands while simultaneously building a brand new engine with my toes and grilling a mean steak with my teeth all the while avoiding a house fire, an inevitably broken car and e-coli! Can't everybody?" It's aggravating at times, to say the least.
Before we even got married he was asking for tools. "For what?" I said, assuming that he would be the kind of home owner who pays people to do things. Little did I know what I was getting myself into. Now, it almost feels like the more that Steven does the more that I want to buy him tools. Like he has proved his worthiness and this, this nail gun will help him rise to handy man excellence!! He has proved to me that he can tile, plumb, install wood floors and build a new deck! That's a lot, folks and I am so proud!! I am seeing a miter saw and new piece of furniture in my future. She says as she laughs sinisterly, "Whah, Ah, Ah".

Still Alive

2008-02-20T12:51:00.000-08:00

Yes, folks I am still alive and well. I haven't gotten a chance to get pictures together and we all know that these things are way more fun with picutres. Pictures and stories to come....

I just don't like them!!!

2007-10-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

Why isn't this answer never enough? I just don't like animals. It's true and I would die a happy girl if I never have to share my space with an animal of any kind and yes that includes fish. I have had this conversation more times then I have hairs on my head, which really isn't a ton if you know me but you get my point. ;) It goes something like this...
Animal lover: Kelly, you need a pet.
Animal hater: No I don't, I'm perfectly happy in my life without a pet.
AL: But they are so cuddly!
AH: They shed like crazy and I am not about to clean dog hair on my chocolate brown couch everyday.
AL: You can get a dog that doesn't shed?
AH: Those are all ugly. We don't live the kind of lifestyle that is ideal to own a pet.
AL: What does that mean?
AH: I am not paying somebody to watch my animal when we are gone for the weekend and I am for sure not going to come home during my day JUST to let them relieve themselves.
AL: I really think that you are missing out on a very special companionship.
AH: I am just fine with my current companionship.
AL: Kelly, when you have kids, they are going to poop and pee all over the place.
AH: This is true, but they are humans being which is completely different then animals. I just don't value animals like I do humans.

Note to the all the animal lovers: I love you I just don't love your pets. I will be kind to you pets and say very sweetly "hello" to them but I will not pet them and for sure do not want them jumping on me or licking me. Gross.

Yikes!

2007-10-09T18:24:00.000-07:00

No excuses folks, just a big fat sorry for checking out for so long. Let's see.. not a whole lot is new in the Hovater household. I am SOOO glad that it is fall and we can finally live like normal people vs. crazy adults that spend every second of their summer either out of town or with 8th graders.

Here is something to discuss...I, for the past month, have had this nagging feeling that I need some sort of change. Not a small change like a new hair cut, I feel the need for something significant. I sort of feel a little stressed having not achieved this desire. Is that weird? Normally, I just rearrange furniture in our living room and that settles me down for a while, but I have had a hard time kicking that feeling this time around. Am the only one who feels this way? Any advice on how to work through that with out buying a new house every other year?

I will leave you with some pics of our vacation to the Ocoee River. So much fun!! Just sitting around with a good book and great company. Three cheers for your best friend becoming your sister-in-law!!!

Do I really have that big of a gut?? I will just tell myself it was the way I was standing.

My silly punkin at the Tennessee Aquarium. This was our unplanned outing because it was raining like crazy. Rain+camping=no fun. Don't worry it was only for one day and then it was beautiful!

Blog Absence

2007-07-18T11:10:00.000-07:00

Whew! Sorry folks for the blog absence and for the lack of pictures on this post. I will do try to do better. Man, this summer has flown! Since May we have gone non stop. We spent a week in Searcy for UPLIFT. Our kids did great! Surprisingly, we were low on the drama which is always a breath of fresh air. During the month of June, a friend from home (Fresno) stayed with us. I say friend because we are friends because our parents are close, but Jordan is only 17. Not that you can't be friends with a 17 year old, but you know what I mean. Different life stages. I think that she had a great time with our kids. She was sort of Steven's side kick for that month and handled that responsibility well. Our kids did awesome about including Jordan in most things that they did. It was really good to have her stay with us, except for that fact that she sheds like crazy and I am still vacuuming up blonde hair, 3 weeks later. I hardly have hair at all so I don't loose much, thank goodness!!
Last weekend another set of my parent's close friends came to see us. I think that I have talked about Bruce in past posts. He is my Dad's BFF that was diagnosed with brain cancer almost a year ago. Well Bruce, his wife and her brother were driving across country and Little Rock was on the agenda. I was so thankful for that time spent with the Fain's but it is always hard to see Bruce struggling like he is. He was having a hard time walking and his speech is slow. He really is doing well considering his circumstances, but it doesn't make it any easier to see him like this.
Last Saturday, left for his first mission trip of the summer. Juarez, Mexico to work with Casas Por Cristos. It is never fun when he leaves but I have been keeping myself busy with repainting my bathroom and hanging out with friends. He returns home on the 21st then leaves again on the 26th for Nicaragua. He will be gone for 10 days on that trip. He flies back into LR from Nicaragua on a Saturday and then leaves the very next day for a short course in Memphis. YA-UCK! Good news is that this is his last short course during the summer because he will finally be graduating in May 08!!!! I am so proud of him and ready for all this to be done with. Well I guess that is about the extent of our lives since last I posted. This summer has been so good so far. I am really proud of our kids and our interns. I hope all of you are well!!

Fres-yes!!

2007-05-31T05:31:00.000-07:00

Oh what a wonderful trip we had!! This is my nephew who is so so sweet! Aiden is such a wonderful baby. He doesn't spit up?!?! What? Maybe Little Rock has an exceptionally high population of spit-er-up-ers because I don't think that I have ever been around a baby that never spits up. My sister is doing very well. A little tired because she just had a baby, but also because her body is still trying to recover the blood that she lost. Apparently it will take about 6 weeks to be back up to normal. Aiden is also a great eater. He went for his 2 week appointment and the doctor said that he is gaining about 2 oz. a day!! Again, I have no idea if every baby is like that and I really don't want to be the girl that thinks her nephew is exceptional when in reality he just normal, but I was pretty impressed that he has done so well. We had such a good trip and I was not ready to come home. Hopefully in the fall my Mom, Courtney and Aiden will come to LR to visit. This picture is of sweet Aiden in the outfit that we bought him. We are going to make him into a Bama fan whether he likes it or not. Doesn't he look so comfy and cozy in his new role as a Bama fan? I think so! Roll Tide!! Oh, I love this picture. There will be more to come!

I am an aunt!!!

2007-05-13T14:09:00.000-07:00

Aiden Thomas Espinoza was born on Friday night weighing in at 7lbs 13oz. and 20 and a half inches. He is doing great!! My sister has had some complications starting after his birth. She is having a blood transfusion today so please keep her in your prayers. She was able to feed him and he ate great so we are excited about that. I should have some pics very soon for you guys!

Sorry

2007-05-09T19:06:00.000-07:00

Man, I had such great intentions to be a better updater, I was wrong. Things have been really crazy here lately. I guess that is mostly because we are getting closer to the summer and our summers are always crazy. I feel more prepared this time. I will be able to due a little more with the kids and I am looking forward to that time. I wanted to post some pics to better update you on our last few weeks.

This is us at Garvan Gardens in Hot Springs. It was so beautiful!!! We took a group of about 25 old ladies with us. It was hilariously fun. I sat by a 91 year old women that asked my name about 20 times and after about 20 times of shouting directly in her ear "KELLY!" She sighed and told me that it didn't matter anyway. I wasn't really sure how to take that.

This is my good friend Zac. Steven and I took 4 of our guys to a disc gold tournament in Memphis. Sorry Memphians, there just wasn't a good time to get away and come see you guys. Anyway, I got to see Zac and Lauren for a little while and that was really great to catch with some old friends!

Matha and Hovie came to see us for the weekend and it was so good to see. It doesn't happen enough. I would share some pictures but we really didn't get a lot with our camera. They got a new one that is way nicer then ours so Hovie was busy taking the pics. Last weekend Steven performed a wedding, his first. He did a great job but I don't have the pics downloaded yet. This coming weekend is another wedding and a quick trip to Branson with the girls. I will hopefully will update more soon. Oh here is something I forgot to mention. I should have new nephew in 2 days! I am so excited!! Please pray for my sister and my new nephew Aiden Thomas during this transition. We will be going to Fresno at the end of the month to meet him. I can't wait!

Easter

2007-04-09T20:22:00.000-07:00

This was the first time since I left for Harding that I got to spend Easter with family. It was so fun to spend that time with Steven's family in Alabama. Below is a picture of Bailey, Steven's 2ond cousin. Isn't she beautiful? She is also the smartest just turned 2 year old. Her word for the week was pediatrician...WHAT?!?!

Steven and I were able to start our Easter holiday off by having dinner with my dear friend, Ashley and her wonderful boyfriend, Rudy. This is us at Carrabba's (sp?) I love this place and was excited to share that time with them! Sorry the layout is weird. I am trying to be big girl and figure out how to do this picture stuff on my own. We got a new camera so hopefully I will have lots o pics in the posts to come!

2007-03-28T20:09:00.000-07:00

A pleasant picture for Jesse to look at while she eats her lunch. Sorry about the gross picture being up so long. This is from our vacation in 2005. I really don't have anything to write about I was just wanting to put something up that was more fun then a gross brown recluse arm. I found this in our picture library. I hope everyone is having a great day!

gross.

2007-03-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

The is my sweet boy's arm...don't be jealous ;) 2 weekends ago Steven was visited by a friendly little brown recluse. A brown recluse that wasn't feeling very reclusive at the time he decided to inject his poison into Steven's arm. Why oh why, LBR would you want to hurt somebody like Steven? All he was trying to do was serve God by taking our kids on a retreat. He was only doing his job and minding his own business. Yes, he probably slept in your personal space, but really, turn his arm white because of severe infection? Is that REALLY necessary? I think not.

BTW...his arm is fine now. No big gapping holes, bruising or white flesh. We are thankful, still a little traumatized, but so very thankful.

After and before

2007-03-16T15:11:00.000-07:00

The finished kitchen floor!!!
Kind of a blurry finished product pic, but you get the idea. Promise, the pillows normally face the correct. Man, I really should have straightened up before I started snapping pictures!
Silly Steven, making silly faces in our newly floored living room! Yea, it's done, it's done!
This is during the process. They did such a good job! Thank goodness for people that know what they are doing and that those people love us!
This is our living room before, minus the cushions and sorry about the laundry. Sorry this is a backwards before and after post. More like an after and before. Forgive, I am new at this posting pictures business! So that's it. We really do love it so much. No more stained carpets and we broke down and got a new stove too so we are no longer risking our house burning down when we cook. Thanks for humoring me.

a clean slate

2007-02-27T06:10:00.000-08:00

This past weekend, we (more specifically my Dad, and 2 other YM Dad's) installed hard wood floors in our down stairs. It looks so good! I am so excited about having a floor that is not all stained up by somebody else's kid. It's so clean looking. We also got a new oven because our old one wasn't quite working the way that it should. My Mom so lovingly called it a "fire hazard". I feel like such a princess having all four burners working, a timer, a clock and a actual light where I can see what I am cooking. Glorious!! So far Mom has been the only one breaking that joker in. So anyway, that has consumed the past few days for us. I will post before and after pics as soon Steven gets a chance. Sorry I am just not good at that.
In other news, we have been so busy(I know that comes as a huge shock!). The weekend before last, we went to Winterfest and had a great time with the kids. They did so well with so much freedom. We even got a compliment about the way they were behaving. It was a pretty big deal. This weekend is a leadership retreat for several churches in our area. I haven't decided if I am going or not. I am really tired and just want to stay at home. Maybe I will just come up late. My parents are leaving today. It has been so nice to have them with us, but I am looking forward to routine. OK, that's all I got!

my birthday week...

2007-02-03T19:11:00.000-08:00

Monday (29th) was great! I got balloons at work from my parents, received lots of calls and e-mails wishing me a Happy Birthday and went to this fancy schamncy restaurant for dinner with my sweet punkin. Oh yea, Michael and Mindy Cooper called me to tell me that they are pregnant!! Tuesday (30th) was strange. My friends at work took me out for my birthday to Blue Coast Burrito and I was super pumped. Later that day I got a call from Steven asking me if it would be okay for a 17 year old runaway to stay at our house for the night. What?!?! All of these questions and thoughts went through my head. Is he going to kill me? Do I need to hide all of our bank statements? Is he gross? (sorry, but I can very shallow) But the thought that most penetrated my head was "this is exactly what we are called to do". So I said okay, but was really nervous UNTIL I got home and looked in our extra room where he had put all of his stuff. There, lying very peacefully on the bed, was a tuning fork. Yes, you read right, a tuning for fork. Two more thoughts...1) A band nerd, I can handle a band nerd...2) What kind of runaway carries a tuning fork with him?!?!? Oh, and I also bought hardwood floors for the whole down stairs and I am super pumped. I will post pics when it is done. Wednesday (31st) was equally perplexing. So I go home at lunch to check on our little vagabond and he was gone. So gone that it looked like he never walked through our door. All of his stuff was gone and the bed was perfectly made. Kind of a strange feeling. Turns out he decided that he is not grown enough to make it without his parents and went back home. Did I mention that home is Dallas, TX? Thursday (1st) was really fun. It was a snow day here in Little Rock so I was off all day. We went shopping, bought a new light fixture for the kitchen, then went home and did some things on the house that needed to get done. Friday (2) was productive. I cleaned our house, Steven put up the new light in the kitchen and we spent most of the evening watching the last six episodes of Lost getting geared up for next week. So there you have my birthday week. Man, this year of 28 has started really strangely.

What?!?!

2007-01-12T05:52:00.000-08:00

0 degrees, with a "feels like" temp of -20. What?!?! Who exists in such conditions and actually enjoys it? This past week I spent some time in Denver/Breckenridge, Co. I had a blast in Denver and also decided that Colorado does a FANTASTIC job at presentation. Everything looks cute, has a catchy name and really just makes you feel cooler when you are there. Colorado oozes with cool. Not to say that all Coloradans are cool, but their state for sure is. Anyway 0 degrees was the temp Sunday morning. Needless to say Kelly didn't quite make it out on the slopes that day. I understand that we only get to ski every two years, BUT there was no way that I was going to spend 65+ dollars on being miserable. No way at all!!!! So I took the prissy route and sat on the couch, in front of the fireplace and read my book. And I was totally comfortable in that choice. I am not too proud to say that I am cold and don't want to ski today! I don't have anything to prove to anybody! Anyway, besides that and 2 friends with the stomach flu, we had a great time and are so thank full for the time with good friends. I got to spend sometime with my college roommate, Analisa and her new baby boy. It was great.
Now that we are back home and I am relishing in the routine. I have slept in MY bed consistently for 4 nights. It almost brings tears to my eyes. The spring semester is sooo busy and I feel like I am having to play catch up with no time for myself which totally sucks but part of the deal. So here we go! Summer will be here before we know it. Enjoy your day today!!!

Swish, swish

2007-01-03T05:55:00.000-08:00

That is the sound that I will be making as I sail down the Colorado mountains, freezing my face off and enjoying time with friends. Today, Lezley and I fly out for the great state of Colorado. Several things are exciting about this trip. 1) I get to fly with Lezley. I hate to fly and I believe that she will be she will be a great flying partner because she will actually talk to me. Sounds terrible, but Steven loves to spend flying time as Steven time so he literaly gives me crazy looks when I ask simple questions during that time. I like to fly with distractions, of course, not the plummeting to your death sort of distractions. 2) I get to spend time with college roommates and a very important baby boy named Jackson. 3) We get to ski!!!! I love to ski but don't get to do it often enough (another reason why Arkansas is crappy) so this will be super fun. Since I am terribly out of shape 2 days will be all that my body can handle so the timing is great as well. 4) The place that we are staying has an awesome hot OUTSIDE! I know that this does not really sound super. Just picture hanging out with close friends, in Colorado, outside with snow, but so warm and toasty in the hot tub. Sounds pretty fantastic to me!
BTW, I am so glad that holidays are over! It was so fun but kind of stressful. It was great to be able to spend time with Steven's family, including Hovie and Martha, but I was ready to be back in my own bed. I talked to my sister yesterday and she said that everything was going great with her pregnancy BUT they are now having a BOY and not a girl. So we will have a nephew by the middle of May. I can't wait!

2006-12-19T11:46:00.000-08:00

I am so annoyed! I just lost a great post about Christmas cards. Sorry, here's the short version...I love Christmas cards with pictures on them...Sorry the Hovater's don't participate in these festivities...maybe next year...Merry Christmas!

Yuck!

2006-12-05T20:14:00.000-08:00

We have had a tough weekend. On Friday morning my best friend/college roommate/sister-in-law called me to let us know that her father passed away. He was in a terrible car accident a couple weeks prior and his badly broken body just couldn't fight anymore. What do you say? I didn't know what to say. We just cried and briefly spoke about the details. On Saturday afternoon we got news that a teacher/coach at CAC had a massive stroke and wasn't going to make it. Not only was I trying to process my sweet friend Matha's loss, I now was attempting to offer encouraging words to a house full of bawling teenage girls (we were at a girls retreat). What do you say? Sunday morning on our way to Matha's Dad's funeral we got the call that Coach Brady died. I still feel pretty much numb and exhausted from these 2 incidents. I feel that they all will be fine but will always ache for those they lost. Please be prayerful for Matha, her family and our YM kids. This sucks, sucks, sucks.

Rain, Rain, Go Away!

2006-11-16T05:38:00.000-08:00

4 inches!!!! That is how much it rained on Monday night which also perpetuated a big fat leak in our sky light. Steven is silly boy who woke up at 2am because he wanted to go and watch the storm while I stayed in our bed to scared to move. I hate storms! I really feel like this Californian has transitioned almost flawlessly (Ha!) into a southerner EXCEPT when it comes to storms. They are so scary and on Monday night I was ready to put our house up for sale to move far away from the south. Anyway, Steven gets up, goes outside to watch the storm and comes back to inform me that it looks like a huge bird pooped all over our entry way floor. We have that hideous popcorn stuff on our ceilings (I apologize if you love the popcorn) and when it gets wet, it drips in a pattern very much like bird poop. GROSS! I go down stairs to check it out and he was right and I am sad. Not only do we have bird poop on the floor but an stain on our ceiling to match. I am really hoping it is just the seam in the sky light but I suppose it could be the roof as well. Oh Man!!! I hate to spend money on things like that! So after a day of feeling sorry for myself I get a call from my good friend Lezley. She called to let me know that their ENTIRE basement flooded on Monday night as well. I felt so crappy for moping around all day about my small leak when their whole basement was flooded. Sorry Lezley. So that was the last couple of days for us. Hopefully I will hear from the roofer today and I will keep you updated. Have a good Thursday!

Soup and Monopoly

2006-11-13T14:05:00.000-08:00

Last Friday night Steven and I hosted a soup and monopoly party. For those of you who hate monopoly, I understand you distaste, but have you ever tried playing on teams while pooling your money together? All of the sudden it goes from a boring game that never ends into a fast pace "to the poor house you go!" kind of game and it is so fun with friends. We had a soup potluck so we had 3 different kinds to choose from and they were all so good. What a blessing it is to have times like this. Just hanging out with friends.
What is your guys' opinions of light-up Christmas figurines for outside decorations...specifically light up penguins? My first reaction is tacky, tacky, tacky. I love the classic white lights and just enough to be pretty not overwhelming. My husband on the other had feels like the brighter the better. We were in Home Depot yesterday and all he could talk about was how he wanted light up penguins to be on our roof strategically placed at an angle, looking over at our Holiday guests' heads as they come up to our front door. I really think that is so tacky but I found myself laughing so hard just at the thought of that being part of our holiday. Really I giggled through out the whole isle. If it can bring me that much joy at the thought of it maybe we just need to do it. Steven's funness is wearing down my snobbery.
This weekend Matha and Hovie come to see us. I am so excited!!! I can't want to hang out with them. I have been missin me some Matha.
On Wednesday of next week we are leaving for Cali. I am really looking forward to spending time with my family, albeit a short trip. (Leslie how was that use of the word 'albeit'?) Though it will be Thanksgiving we will do our 'Christmas' with my family so I am really pumped about that too. My parents just sold our house so this will be the last trip on Orange Ave. I am sad because it is the house that we grew up in but excited for my Mom that she will finally have the house she has always wanted. Have a great week!

Hovater Update

2006-10-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

Yup that's right, Kelly has nothing super exciting to blog about but feels the pressure to write something so we have another Hovater update!! Okay, did I tell you guys that we found a couch. Well we did and it has yet to arrive! I am so annoyed! We ordered it in September and it hasn't come in yet. Should I asked for a percentage off? Apparently the couch making plant closed so they had to send our order to another place, but of course the order was not sent until about 6 weeks into it. I haven't been to upset because we still have our old couch but I am starting to get a little impatient. Alabama lost to UT. We are sad, sad, sad. They played so well up until the last 6 minutes or so. Oh why can't they seem to get it together? Regardless, I sported my new Bama jersey with pride. Steven tells me I am a bully. I have been depressed ever since mostly because I think that he's right. Man, this marriage thing is so wonderfully honest though sometimes it makes me feel crappy. I think that because Steven is so fantastic at letting me be me, I have not done a good job of controlling the less fun parts of myself. That makes it sound like that blame is his, totallly not what I mean. I need to cherish his willingness to embrace the total Kelly package while doing my best to change that package into something beautiful. That has really been on my mind for the last few days. I do a terrible job at protecting Steven from the wrath of Kelly. Umm lets see what else, oh, I think that Fletcher's (my 98 4 runner with 176,000 miles) days are numbered. Side note: Jesse Maddox Faris was the one who found him for me. Anymore ideas Jess? I think that it is time but I am not sure what I want. For sure nothing new, I rather not put ourselves in any more debt then necessary, but something fun. I am some what leaning towards a pathfinder but I am open to any opinions OR if you know anybody selling their car/SUV with low millage and it's cute that would be helpful too. Okay that's all I got hope you guys are having a good Monday!

The wedding and vacation

2006-10-10T05:36:00.000-07:00

Last weekend (Oct 1) was Matha and Hovie's wedding. It was fantastic. Everything was beautiful and they are now currently beginning this stage in their life in Argentina. Pretty cool huh? After the wedding we traveled to Roanoke Virginia to spend some time with Steven's cousin. It was so fun. They have a 19 month old who is the smartest child I have ever been around. I know that girls typically talk more and earlier then boys, but whoa. When all the adults were talking it seemed like she would listen for words that she has never heard and then verbally practice them a few time, commit them to memory and include them in her every day vocabulary. It was great to get to know their whole family better. After that we went to DC for a couple days. The first day was pretty stressful for my penny pinching self. Why are the hotel prices DOUBLE of any other place in the country. Well any place that I have ever been. I had two choices... spend 2 something each night for a clean safe normal hotel or risk our lives by staying at a hotel that was resembled the hotel that MLK jr. was killed at. (Sorry Memph) I was truly in Shadesville and I did not like it. So I decided, very reluctantly, on the more expensive of the two. DC is an awesome place. We saw as much as we could in the short time that we there. We ate some great food and walked our faces off. Oh, I just remembered... I am going to be an aunt!! Yea!!! My twin sister Courtney is pregnant, due in May and I am pa-umped! So their you have the last week of my life. It was a great trip but I am glad to be back to the ole routine.

Trying not to be a poser....

2006-09-25T11:23:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we traveled to Fayetteville, AR to watch our beloved Alabama football team. Well I say "our", but I am not sure that I can claim Bama as "mine" yet. Isn't there some sort of ritual that I need to go through to be a fan of a SEC team? I kind of feel like there should be. I'm not from here I don't know these things! I think that southerners have special milestones pertaining to fanmanship in the SEC that Californians don't learn when we are young. Unless you have attended a school in the SEC. At that point I will just call you a late bloomer or maybe a "delayed". I mean I screamed my face off, sang and chanted as best I could. By the way, Alabama has the most songs ever and being the relatively new fan that I am I have to say that I am a little intimidated. I wore a really cute jersey and thanks to the sun, I now have a small white spot on my cheek where the Bama face tattoo once stood. Steven called it a "fan tan". Now for all of you anti Bama fans out there (Jesse) hear this... I have made my choice! Don't try to persuade me to your side because I am not feeling connected to this team yet. I fully intend to press on and declare "Roll Tide" every chance I get, I'm just trying to solicit advice on how to become more emotionally connected to a team that I am a fan of by marriage. Steven said that I became a fan the day I was home by my self and drove to Target to purchase a new antenna just so I could watch the game. I still feel disconnected. Any suggestions? Maybe the next time we go to Bryant Denney I need to work for my fanmanship by collecting used plastic cups and wash them by hand.

Tough Week

2006-09-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

Yup, it's been rough. My Dad's best friend was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor which the doctors predicted would only give him 6 months to 1 year to live. He is not only my Dad's best friend but our second Dad. Bruce is his name and he awesome! He is one of those Dad's who is great about giving you hugs that make you feel safe, always ready to help and is a great story teller. I love him and his family and I am really sad. It also is rough becuase I can not be at home to support and love on him and his family. I talked to his wife yesterday and it was a hard conversation. She said several things but the most heartbreaking phrase was, "We are just going to have a great Christmas this year". What do you say when you get news like that? Please pray for Bruce and his family and my family. These last few weeks have been full of prayers with so many needs and I hate to add another burden to your guys' thoughts, but there it is.
On a brighter note currently I am in Birmingham with Matha and so enjoying myself. I have already spent the morning doing lots o' shopping and in a few hours with head to Tupelo to celebrate her upcoming marriage with all of her close friends. I super pumped about a relaxing weekend and sharing this time with her. Okay that is all I got.

prayers please

2006-08-24T11:22:00.000-07:00

http://julian-family.blogspot.com/

Please check this out. A friend from college, Kelly Stewart, her new born is having some complications. Please, prayer for this family. Kelly is also the sister of Karie Stewart Green, I think that a lot of you guys may know her. Their family needs our prayers!

Rewind 2 years

2006-08-21T06:06:00.000-07:00

So right about now I was probably waking up from an extremely restless sleep, totally freaking out inside and doing everything possible to keep myself from bursting out into tears. Yup, it was the big day, our wedding day. Today is our two year anniversary and it has been an awesome journey so far. I think at this point in the day (two years ago) I was so ready to get this over with so I could be normal Kelly vs super overwhelmed and stressed out Kelly. I was hungry but afraid that I was either going to hurl or poop (sorry kind of graphic) out even the tiniest crumb. As soon as we walked back down the isle and it was all over I felt a huge weight lift off of me. I could be normal Kelly again!! God has been so faithful to us over the past two years. I have learned so much about myself and Steven and this adventure that we are on. My suspicions have been confirmed about Steven. He truly is the most wonderful man. ( I know that most of you out there are thinking "there is no way that Steven could be as wonderful as my husband") But my friend, he really is. Well let me say that he is perfect for me. Daily, my love and respect grows for him. He is so wise and smart. I could go on and on so I will stop. I am thankful and so blessed to have been given the responsibility to share life with this most awesome man of God. It is an honor beyond my wildest dreams. Happy 2 years to us!!!

Finally!

2006-08-17T08:23:00.000-07:00

We are on our way to routine. Steven got home safely from his trip last night and I am pumped. I feel like I got some good friend time and Kelly time. Punkin time here we come!! Besides routine the next couple of months are bringing some exciting times for the Hovaters. Every single weekend in September is taken up by friends coming to see us or us going to see friends. How wonderful!!! I am so pumped about about seeing Leslie and Jonathan, Rocky, Ashley and Camp (their new baby boy), Matha and her batchlorette weekend, and Matha and Hovie's wedding. Also I am trying to work out a quick trip to Memphis for Jessica's wedding. I am really needing some refreshing time with dear friends.
The first Wednesday night of the school was surprisingly great. I totally expected a room fully of grumpy kids hating the beginning of the new school year. But I was totally wrong! Their was great energy and excitement, I thought. See! There is something to this routine thing!
After a long week, I decided to take off the rest of the day. Have great weekends!
Oh, Steven's teacher, Laurie Mitchell, her surgery went great. I think that they got everything they are just in the waiting period to get the results back and then decisions can be made of where to go from there.

He's gone... Again.

2006-08-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

I have a wonderful servant minded husband who lives his life to help those he loves and I am selfish. Steven is gone again but for two very good reasons. ( I guess mission trips are good reasons too) 1) A very special friend of our was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and Steven went to Huntsville to love on and support her family during her surgery, a total hysterectomy. This wonderful woman was Steven's drama teacher at Mars Hill. Their last name should be Hovater or our last name be Mitchell to show how much Steven loves this family and considers them part of ours. Please be prayerful her healing and recovery. 2) Steven's bestfriend "thewalrus" is finally moving back to the south and we are so excited and thankful for this opportunity for him. So Steven and Coop went to help him move and spend some much needed boy time together. That means I am baching it again. Thewalrus- please know that I am absolutely more then willing to be lonely for a few days anytime if it means having you closer to us. Be sweet to my punkin. This morning, after a rough night of sleep, I am really feeling the absence of Steven, but that is the deal and I will be fine. He will be better for this time with friends and I will try and be intentional about using this time grow in my relationships with friends and the Lord.

He's home!!

2006-08-08T13:51:00.000-07:00

Steven got home last Saturday and it has been so nice to have him home. There have been several times when I just look at him and think to my self I am so glad that he is home. He had some crazy times in Mexico. They almost were flooded out of the city so building an entire house was very challenging but they got it done in 3 days. Man, wouldn't it be nice if all houses were built in 3 days! Since then there hasn't been a whole lot going on but we are for sure making our way back into some sort of routine. Sorry this is really boring but I am trying to get in some sort blogging routine and so that means that a consequence of this new discipline is that there may be a boring post or 2 or 3. I will try and pep it up for the next one.

Hovater Update

2006-07-30T14:08:00.000-07:00

So it's one of those posts again. Not much going on but feeling the pressure to update my blog. Currently I am sitting on our couch watching TV while Steven is on his way to Mexico with our high schoolers. He was so excited about this trip becuase he gets to build an entire house in one week for a Mexican couple which is pretty cool. I am excited about the trip becuase it is the last one of the summer and marks the end of the summer. Routine here we come!!!! We have had a great summer, don't get me wrong, but there is something to routine. Knowing what to expect each day is so securing and grouding. Of course it can be boring but things have been so crazy lately I ache for boring.
We should be taking a vacation at some point but with Martha and Hovie's wedding and Steven starting back at school I am not really sure when that is going to be happening. But when we go we are planning on spending time in Virgina and DC. I haven't been to either and his cousin lives in that area so why not?
I am sure that you all are dying to know where I am at with the whole furniture thing. It is currently on hold for now becuase I have focused my saving efforts to put in bamboo floors in the living room and kitchen. I am super pumped and since my Dad is awsome at building and fixing stuff he has graciously offered to install them saving us a bunch of money. So spending time with fam and getting new floors. Bamboo you say? Well here is what I know of bamboo floors curtesy of Martha soon-to-be Hovater. They are 30% more durable then hardwood, about 2-3 dollars cheaper a square foot, eco friendly because it is every where and it doesn't expand with weather conditions like wood floors do. To be honest the cheaper thing is what got me and from what I can see they look just as cool as wood floors, I think. After that will come the last furniture purchase of a couch which hasn't been to much of a struggle to hold off on because I can't find anything that I love.
2 things to note form this summer... we were victims of theivery TWICE this summer. Once at Harding's summer camp, UPLFT (Steven's powerbook) and "The Big PV Heist" (our video camera that was sitting on Steven's desk) Currently I am typing on Steven's new Macbook, which is pretty cool and we are still waiting on the insurance check for the video camera. Both sucked but we now have a newer and more awesome computer and the little jerks that stole our camera now are the proud owners of a broken camera. (it broke like 2 weeks before) HA! That is what you get you little jerks!!!
That is really all that I got. This week will bring a clean house, because I won't have Steven to pick up after, lots of Kelly time, finishing the new book that I got and spending with time with frineds. I hope everyone has a great week!!!

ouch!

2006-06-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

A true sign that you are an adult is sunscreen. Gone are the days of laying out just to get burned so you can then start tanning. What were I thinking? "Oh, hold on just let me increase my chances of cancer, walk around in intense pain, scream at my loved one for touching me all the while knowing that when I was thirty or so I would look about 10 years older...I HAVE to get that summer tan"? WHAT?!?! What kind of logic is that?

Last weekend we went to the lake and I was so proud of myself for aplying and reaplying sunscreen on every inch of my body EXCEPT for my legs. What was I thinking? I guess that I just had a moment of insanity thinking that this would be the first summer that my blinding white legs would only turn to a golden brown and not a painful, blistering cherry red. I still find myself fighting the "burn before tan" theory. After we were done with our fun filled day, I was then reminded evey single second of my stupidity beucase of the intense heat and pain coming from my legs. Not only was I feeling stupid becuase of my carelessness, but I had to display my stupidity for all to see because you can't wear pants when you are in pain like that. To bad I don't own any long skirts. An added bonus to the guilt...being aware of the fact that what I was doing to my self was putting my self in very real danger of getting skin cancer. It isn't worth it, it is NEVER worth it! It's 3 months out of the year that we are a slave to the sun only for it to fade away in the fall and start back over again next year. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Thank you Nicole Kidman Urban for reminding us that pasty white is beautiful!

A break for today

2006-06-22T06:20:00.000-07:00

For some reason this summer has been so much busier then the past. That is just the deal with YM, but it still kind of caught me off guard. I did not do a good job of preparing myself for it. Steven has been gone all week for Uplift. This week really isn't so bad because he is still fairly close and accessible by phone, but I am ready for him to be home. He will be home, probably asleep, by the time I get home for lunch. So for today we have a break and then tomorrow we will be on the road to spend the weekend at the lake with the college class. I enjoy going and playing, but I also enjoy being bored every once in a while. Right now I want to be bored, at home, on our couch with my punkin right next to me.

Here is something fun... Last night I spent some time with former YM girls. They are going into their second year at Harding. I actually get to spend lots of time with them because we were super tight when they were in high school and that love is still there. Anyway, last night was great because I was aware of how much they are growing and maturing. They are thinking like college kids which is refreshing and I look forward to the adult thinking. I felt like I could be more real with them and less motherly. Even though I will always mother this particular class. I love this part of YM. Building relationships and maintaining them throughout our lives. What a blessing it is to remember kids in the 7th grade and then watch them grow into our peers. For them to be ministered by us and then do ministry with us, as partners. These kids are that to me as are so many Memphis kids. This encouragement spurs us on and shows us what God can do with very unworthy people.

Blogging Compliments

2006-06-13T06:13:00.000-07:00

Okay so I start my work day at 7 in the morn (since I now have Friday's off) and part of my morning routine is to read all my favorite blogs of dear sweet friends. If I am super bored then I will read the blog links that are listed on my favorite sites. Sometimes I know those folks and sometimes I don't. Today I did just that. I jumped on one of my favs and thought to myself "Oh I know this girl, I want to see what's going on with her". Okay so this girl is Julie Kiser. We were friends in LR and our husbands are buddies but we for sure don't keep up with each other, but I have always loved her. So I am reading her blog and laughing because I think she is funny and looking at pictures of her new sweet boy. After I am done I look over at her links and to my delight and surprise she has "Kelly H" on her list. That's me! I was so pumped because that means that she loves me enough to be interested in my blog which is a big deal because it really isn't fun which leads me to believe that she really does love me! (please no comments about this declaration, I am not fishing for compliments) So I started to think about this link list and it really is a list of people that we love or things that are important to us and that we are interested in. Of course I realize that this list is not exhaustive being that a lot of people that we love are not devote bloggers. Am I the only one who feels this way? Doesn't it feel so good to be on someone's "blogging validation list"? Let me also take a moment to acknowledge Leslie Jerkins, Jesse Faris, Brooke Ray, Marf Guinn, Julie Kiser, Ashley Mills and Banks Lyons. (Do you feel more validated by my love by me bolding your name?) I am a faithful reader but a poor student of computer skills. I really have no idea how to put not only a list of links, but also pictures, books and a hit clock. Sorry, I am embarrassed. Also my weekend with Grace was good but exhausting. We did things non stopped and I am still tired. It was important time for us to spend together and I thankful that we had the opportunity.

California Love

2006-06-06T05:59:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday night Steven and I returned to Little Rock after visiting my family in Cali. It was good times. We all went to the beach for a couple of days and is was great. Here is why I love the west coast... I was wearing jeans, a sweater and t-shirt and still was freezing while strolling up and down the coastal line. How great is that? I know, all you beach loving folks are thinking, how can being cold on the beach be fun. Well here is the answer to that... (mind you it may be different in southern california, this post only pertains to the central coast) I love to not to worry about extreme sunburns, sticky sand in your mouth and eyes, being intentional about hydrating and being bored out of your mind because all your friends want to do is lay-out. I am not distracted by the conditions of the weather. I don't say to myself "Oh man I am so hot". I do say to my self, "Man, if feels awesome out here and look how beautiful the ocean looks" Sidenote: The sun sets in the west so watching the sunset while wrapped up in a blanket with your punkin is awesome. (please note that the last comment is a mear dream of mine, Steven actually missed out on this trip due to arriving in Cali several days after I, but doesn't it sound fantastic!) So there you go Leslie, an update. I should have more after this weekend, Amy Grace is coming to stay the weekend with me and I am super pumped. Oh by the way this Friday is the first of me having every Friday off. YEA!!!!

4:50am

2006-05-10T10:31:00.000-07:00

What is going on? This is exactly what was going on in my head when I was awoken abruptly on Saturday morning by one of our newest sevies. Her response to my obvious question, "I couldn't sleep". So that means that nobody can? She then decided that she was bored so she got everybody up. Awesome.
We took our upcoming 7th graders on their annual Six flag's trip. I really do look forward to this trip every year. It is so fun to play hard and get to know the kids that we are going to build relationships for the next 6 years. Hear me now... This will never happen again!!!!!!! I was so mad for the first 2 hours that I was up. I literally could not process why anybody would want to get up that early when we didn't have to be ready until 9am.
For the rest of the day every girl in our room reported to me that they were tired. I had ZERO sympathy for them. When this particular early bird told me that she wasn't going to wake up that early on Sunday morning I responded with a resounding "That's right you won't!" It really did test my love for kids and my self control.
The next night they were in bed by 11pm and up at 6:30am (we had to be out by 7:30am) I felt so proud and victorious!!! My name is Kelly and I am sleep Nazi.

YEA!!!!!

2006-05-01T06:58:00.001-07:00

I would like to announce the engagement of my dear sweet brother in-law to my dear sweet best friend Matha!!!!!! Matha and Hovie are engaged!!!!!! That means that my best friend, college roommate, summer roommate, bicycle riding buddy, running partner (kinda) is now going to be my sister!! How awesome that? They came in town to see us this past weekend. Friday morning they got up to watch the sunrise at Pinnacle Mountain and he asked her there. It was so fun to have them in town but so special to share the first few days of engagement with them. Steven and I couldn't be more excited!!! October is the month, not sure on the day.

Special Olympics

2006-04-19T11:59:00.000-07:00

Some of you may not know that I work for Easter Seals. It is a non-profit agency that works with kids and adults with all kinds of disabilities. Through this job I have been so blessed with the honor of working with and for some amazing folks. Today I had the opportunity to experience Special Olympics. What a blessing! It was held at a local high school in Little Rock. There were hundreds of kids with disabilities, their parents, teachers and caregivers. It was awesome to see the excitement in there faces. Since working with Easter Seals I have been convinced that these folks are here to remind us of what Jesus looks like. A real life example of his love, grace, tolerance, forgiveness and raw joy. The opening ceremonies were great. There was loud music, which was fun for me, but I thought odd because of all the sensory issues. Anyway, 6 police officers on motorcycles, 2 "black and whites" and a hummer escorted about 15 people running into the stadium with a lit torch. Really that was all that the ceremony consisted of but I have to admit, it totally brought tears to my eyes. The kids cheered their hearts out. They love that their Olympics is like the winter and summer games. We then got to watch them compete in a few events. The walking race, wheelchair race and standing long jump. How great is it that kids with such limited abilities can participate in events that prompt hundreds of people to cheer for them, they get medals and get their names announced on the loud speaker while standing on a podium. It was so wonderful to watch each kid express their happiness and joy in their own way. So many times these kids are looked at like they will never be able to contribute to society and they are such burdens. Well they weren't today. They were athletes and heroes and they even had medals to prove it! I am so thankful to have the opportunity to work with such a fantastic population!

The Jungle

2006-04-19T06:53:00.000-07:00

That is what I like to call our yard, though as of yesterday it has lost its junglness. You see, we don't have a lawn mower. I really do feel okay about this because we also don't have the time to mow regularly. So our plan has always been to pay one of our kids to mow it. Really the best way to do things, I think. They get money, we get short grass without lifting a finger. So now that the lawn is cut, on to the beast of everything else. We literally have not touched our yard since we moved in last August. Yesterday was rake and bag leaves day. Raking and bagging leaves is awful!!! I was blessed with parents that didn't ask us for help doing the yard while we were growing up. They enjoyed it and I also think that they were to particular to hand these jobs over to kids that didn't give a rip about the yard. Well now that kid has grown up and gives a rip and is so discouraged and overwhelmed with the state of this situation. It is so much work!! We have to move azaleas and holly bushes, plant a Japanese Maple tree and lay sod in the back yard. We also have to pull weeds plant new flowers and apparently have to collect all the monkey grass. What we are doing with it once it is collected I havn't the slightest idea. YUCK!!! I will keep you posted on our make over project. I have to admit I don't have high hopes.

3 down, one to go and feelin' it

2006-04-04T10:43:00.000-07:00

The third piece of furniture has been purchased. A TV cabinet. The cabinet was our compromise. Steven didn't want to commit to a size TV and I wanted all electronics hidden. So now the TV is not hidden but everything else is. It looks good. So here has been my thoughts thus far. I do not spend just to spend. When I am thinking about purchasing even then smallest of items I go through this process of justification in my head. It drives Steven crazy and probably Matha too, because they are the two that get to listen to my justification rantings. I guess it is just my way of drawing a line between what I want and what I need and feeling okay about my splurge of new chapstick. With each furniture purchase I have gone through this same thought process. Do I really need this? Is this frivolous? Am I spending our money the way God calls us to spend money? I am having a really hard time defining what contentment means to me. I know it is okay to desire for your home to look nice. But are you going over board by spending hundreds of dollars on things you don't really need? Is my lack of contentment and greed fueling this decision? For example, the coffee table that our TV has been sitting on for the past 2 years is a perfectly good place for our TV to rest. It's sturdy and houses all of our electronics needs. Is it okay for me to want something better? Something that makes the TV sit higher and hides all the cords. I don't know! I have wrestled with this for most of 2006. I want to be a good steward of our money. Is spending money on furniture that we don't really need being a good steward? At what point is it okay for you to just buy something new, just because. I don't ever want our home to be a place that causes others to be discontent. So in defense of that desire I find myself explaining to people that I have saved and put aside money for all of this. That I deserve this in some way. (See "Why do I love furniture so much?" post) "Way to go Kelly, you saved money!" The truth is that it is not ours to spend. So if I look at it that way, would God buy us a TV cabinet, loveseat, buffet and couch? Is that how he would spend his money? Do people that live a much higher standard of life then we do go through this every time they spend too? I can't imagine. I can see how folks get themselves into major credit card debt when they aren't thoughtful about all this. We have only one more thing to get and because of all of this I am planning on changing that forth item to something significantly cheaper. Not to "toot my own horn" (how was that one Leslie?) it is just another process of justifying. Does anybody else understand what I am saying? Any words of wisdom or encouragement from my faithful readers? Am I being crazy about all of this?

Hovater Update

2006-03-21T10:45:00.000-08:00

I am updating to you that there is absolutely nothing exciting going on in our lives. I was looking over my favorite blogs and found myself getting irritated because those folks have not update in over a week and then I looked at mine and realized that mine had not been updated in almost a month. So here goes, we have gotten 2 items of furniture since the last post. Both of which I am super pumped about. We are anticipating the next 2 items in which case we should be good to go in the furniture area for a while. We have been really busy mostly because it is that time of year to be busy but also because we are gearing up for the summer. Here is something kind of exciting... We are going to Africa in the summer and I am going to start to work only 4 days starting in June. I am so excited about both, but to be perfectly honest probably more excited about only working 4 days a week. Next month Fletcher ( my 4 runner) will finally be paid off! My sister and brother-in-law got Steven probably the best birthday present ever... an I heart Fresno shirt. Isn't that awesome! He is proudly sporting it today. I bought a really cute lamp for $7.64, how awesome is that? It has been so unbelievably cold here. Which isn't such a big deal except for the fact that we put our winter clothes away on Saturday. I went to a wonderful wedding 2 weekends ago and will be going to an equally wonderful wedding in April. I finally found a great black dress to wear. Do you guys have any idea how hard it is to find a good black dress? Two nights ago Steven sat straight up in bed and said in a very panic-y voice, "What the crap is that over there?" That will get your blood flowing. It turns out there was some weird light that he saw but only for a second. That is what he tried to convince me of anyway. Well I think that is about it. Have good days!

Why do I love furniture so much?

2006-02-23T08:31:00.000-08:00

Over the past month or so I have been saving like crazy to buy new furniture for our house. Here is my thoughts on that. Part of me feels really frivolous and prideful that I want new furniture. I feel like I need to be content with the hand-me-downs that we have been so blessed with. I feel like all this money could be used to go in our "emergency" fund because who knows when something "emergency" like is going to happen. I feel like this money could be used more wisely. BUT I also feel like I have worked my butt off to pinch those pennies, denying myself social events that are held at restaurants just so I can get that new chair, table and entertainment center. I'm worth it! I haven't been using any of the money for our "get those school loans paid off fast" fund. It's all from my personal sacrifice! Don't I deserve it? Part of me thinks so. Well the part that likes to furniture shop thinks so. The other part of me says.." Kelly you chose to marry the most wonderful man in the world who also happens to be a youth minister and also chose to spend 50,000 on your education with the goal of becoming a social worker knowing full well that your secret desire was to never work again, lets just face it sister living that kind of lifestyle is just not in the cards". BUT I SAVED says the furniture shopping side. Here is what is probably going to happen. I am going to get that furniture that I want but in 10 or 15 years from now I will still have that same wonderful furniture that I was dying to have at one time in my life when I was younger and much more materialistic. I better chose wisely because I am going to have to love it for the rest of my life. Man, these inner battles suck!

January 29, 1979

2006-01-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

January 29, 1979 is an important day to me because it's my birthday. That makes Sunday the day that I am going to celebrate my 27th birthday. 27! When I was 16 I thought that 20 and up was so old. Now that I am 20 and up I don't feel that way at all. I really thought that I would feel differently by now but alas I still feel like Kelly. Every year that goes by I kind of get sad. Last year a very good friend of mine made me say my whole birthday day, "I am 26 and I'm pretty!". So here goes..."I'm 27 and I'm pretty!" Maybe I will feel better about that on Sunday. I need to learn the value of growing old gracefully while remembering that I am still young and there is still so much ahead of us.

Back to normalcy

2006-01-06T09:51:00.000-08:00

For Christmas Steven and I went to Fresno, CA where I am from, to visit family for a week. We had a great time. Lots of eating, laying around and staying up playing computer (for Steven of course). It was very relaxing and was much needed. For the last week Steven has been in Nashville at NCYM. He has been having a blast, but I am ready for him to come home. I have been keeping myself busy by cleaning, decorating watching the first 4 episodes of Lost. It is really good. Umm lets see, that's about it. Work is getting back to normal and I am so thankful. I discovered that when I am stressed out and tired my tolerance level is very low. The break was good for recharging. Oh also I was reminded of how much I love Stroke 9 so I went and bought the CD. I have hardly listened to anything but them since. If that makes me a dork I am willing to take that responsibility.

My jaw hurts!

2005-12-19T07:10:00.000-08:00

So we went on this retreat with some other couples from Pleasant Valley. It was so fun but so cold. We left early because Steven had to be at church on Sunday and I was okay with that because I was so looking forward to a warm house and bad. Much to my disappointment, our house was not warm and continues to be in this state until tomorrow morning at 8:00! Our heater is busted and my jaw hurts from the constant chattering of teeth. It was somewhere in the 40's when I got up this morning. Oh man, I am so thankful for heaters! (well more thankful when our works) It will be fine though we have a fire place and an enormous amount of people are offering their space heaters. The Hovaters will survive!!!!

I have a problem

2005-12-09T06:56:00.000-08:00

My fears of a previous post have been confirmed. I watched TV from 4:30 to 10:30 last night. SIX HOURS!!!!!! We still have not gotten cable but one afternoon I wanted to watch an Alabama game so I bought and antenna and it has been down hill since. I knew this would happen. It also happens to be that the latest book that I got was kind of on the boring side so I have not be motivated to read which makes my problem worse. TV is just so handy when you are folding clothes or wrapping presents. I have a problem and I need to help. I don't want to be a family that watches TV. I am going to have to start to get really creative and find something else to occupy my time.

On a side note... Steven shrunk my new sweater. I have only worn it twice and now I can't anymore unless I am interested in looking like a hoochie mama which is never something that I am interested in. In his defense he did look for the sweater, having remembered it in the washer, before he put in the dryer. He just didn't look hard enough. So after work The Limited here we come. Steven is buying me a new sweater! This may not be such a bad deal.

This year I like Christmas music

2005-12-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I don't really prefer Christmas music. I feel like there are 10 songs written by 10,000 artists and it normally drives me crazy. BUT this year I have been able to tolerate this particular genre a little more. Wait no that is a lie, I actually LIKE it this year. Here is my theory as to why. It's simple...We have a house. I know that is so silly but it is so fun to think about decorating and putting up lights and tree. In fact I think that the tree buying will come tomorrow and I am super pumped. An update on the house... We still have some trim to paint. This job is on the agenda for Saturday. Oh and I think that I am going to change to color of my bathroom. I've decided that I don't really like it. Which is such a hassle and I think that Steven might never talk to me again if I ask him to do it. He did such a good job on the purple, yes that is correct I said purple.

It was a debacle!

2005-11-07T12:03:00.000-08:00

I am not lying. The powder puff football game was a disaster! We lost big time. I think somewhere in the range of by 30 points! I was never really so competitive in high school that a losswould consume my mind, but for some reason I had a hard time letting this one go. I think it was because I really thought that we would do well and then me hopes were crushed when I saw the other team. I think 4 of their players were rugby girls and we debated the whole game whether they truly were girls. It was rough. I can't talk about it anymore.

Practice #2

2005-10-20T08:49:00.000-07:00

Last night was football practice and I am pretty excited about this team. Everybody was getting more comfortable with each so it was really fun. No huge scandalous thing to report as of yet but I will keep you posted. By the way, after last weeks practice they talked about me all morning on the radio. Isn't that so fun! I was loving every minute of it. Okay that is it for now. We have another practice this Saturday so there will be another update on Monday.

My new adventure

2005-10-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

I love flag football! Last night was my very first practice as the new quarter for a powderpuff football team. What is so adventurous about this team in particular is that it is with a local radio station here in Little Rock. 103.7 The Buzz. This new adventure could pontentially be a scandalous so I have reserved the right to quit at any moment regardless of the heckling that I would most certainly receive on the radio. The girls were all really nice and so much less prissy then I was thinking. I know how these things work. Radio guy challenges another radio guy to game of powderpuff mostly emphasizing looks rather then skill. I feel okay about this UNLESS they ask me to wear something scandalous or make me feel like even the slightest bit of compromising will have to happen. A guy from our church is one of the D.J's / coaches so I am clinging to the hope that he will follow through with his commitment to God thus protecting me from having to do anything sort of shady. I will keep you updated...

Why is cable such a big deal?

2005-09-29T09:17:00.000-07:00

I don't want cable. I don't. I want to be a family that reads not a family that watches television. Steven, my dear sweet husband loves to make fun of me by saying "Like I am going to stop reading". For those of you who don't know him loves to read so much that the only reason why reason why he hasn't shelved his books in out new is because he hasn't had time to work out the details of the Hovater's Card Cataloging System. I am not concerned about him stopping his reading habits, I am more concerned about stopping mine. Also when we start to have kids, I don't want them to grow up glued to the TV. I want them to sit with me and enjoy Harry Potter together. I really am not sure what Steven is wanting to get out of cable, that we can't get out network TV. He says football games but that is only in the fall and once a week. Do you see the problem I have? I don't want to pay for minimal use and I don't want maxium watching. Two other reasons... everytime we going anywhere with a TV I have to practically do a dance for him to pay attention to me. I think that is a bad habit to form if the TV is on at home. Last reason... Every single middle aged to older adult that I expressed this opinion to say that I need to stick to my guns. Don't' you think that there is something to that? I know that we are adults, but older adults are wiser then us. No matter how wise we think we are we have nothing on them. Especially the ones that have raised kids. They understand the effects of TV on their kids and I am trying to prevent that stuff now. I am trying to establish good habits from the start. Is that so wrong? Steven wants it so bad and I don't want it just as much. Any thoughts out there?

We are mostly in!

2005-09-27T07:33:00.000-07:00

Well, that might be a stretch. We haven't touched the kitchen stuff yet. But most all the big furniture is in and I am so thankful. So worn out but thankful. All this unsettledness has really done me in. I don't handle it very well. I get grumpy and gripy and that sucks of me. Things are looking up and once we get a shade on the window in our bedroom where I broke the blinds then I will get good sleep and be able to handle all of this better. I will keep you posted.

So I am feeling some pressure

2005-09-16T12:36:00.000-07:00

2 words...Jesse Maddox. Why is it that there is so much pressure to update your blog. I read Jesse's then looked at Leslie, then felt like I had to put something down. Really Jesse, all this pressure just because you are bored. I just don't know how I feel about that. Wait, yes I do, it makes me hang my head in shame. I committed to this blogging thing and I need to follow through with it. But if I am following what Jesse commands ( and yes I mean command) then I have to post something new every hour. No Ma'am. Can't do it! I am just not that interesting. So how much blogging should one do to be a committed blogger? Once a day? Once every 2 days? I don't know. I am just feeling very pressured right now.
Oh a little update on the house. It is coming along much more quickly thanks to so many wonderful friends. Hopefully most of it can be done by tomorrow, but we will see. It that stinkin' trim that is killing me!

Is that a light?

2005-09-09T12:07:00.000-07:00

So for the past almost 2 weeks we have been working our tails off on trying to get the most hideous wallpaper off in our new kitchen. I think that we are seeing a light and I am super pumped. We only have a few more things to do then mudd, seal, prime and then finally paint!!! Oh what a wonderful day it will be when I can sit in my freshly painted and cleaned living room and read while drinking some tea. I miss the days of relaxation after work. Oh just to give an update. Disneyworld is not better then Disneyland. Here is my theory. If you are going to compare parks, then the only park that you can fairly compare Disneyland to is the Magic Kingdom at Disney World. And when you complete the comparison you will realize that they are exactly the same. Yes the castle is bigger in Disneyworld but the princess' that live in these 2 castles are different and it is not Disneyland's fault that sleeping beauty's kingdom can't afford a bigger castle. Don't you think?

Good Times!!

2005-08-19T07:32:00.000-07:00

Well I am assuming it will be good times. Today at 11:00 am (6 hours before I normally have to leave work) we are leaving to join our dear friends in Florence Alabama for Donnie Stover's wedding!!!! I am about to pee myself excited. There will be so many wonderful people from Harding and Memphis. Oh man this is so great!! THEN after all the festivities are over Steven and I are going to Disney World for our 1st anniversary / vacation. I have never been but from what I hear it is awesome! Some have even claimed that it is better then Disneyland. Don't worry Cali., I know where is the REAL happiest place on earth is. Only park that Walt Disney himself had ever visited. Either way, I am excited to see Micky and spend time with my Punk. Well that is all I got. Happy Donnie's wedding to everybody!!

Some big news for the Hovaters!

2005-08-10T06:43:00.000-07:00

No I am not pregnant! We found a house!!! Two things worth mentioning about this house, 1) it has a loft that over looks the living room and 2) it has a hot tub. We are pretty excited about it. So because Steven was out of town yesterday I decided that I was going to attempt to pick out colors for the walls. Oh my gosh! I am so overwhelmed with colors! There are so many colors!! AHHH! I really thought that I this was something that I was going to be good at. After yesterday, I am not so confident. Also, refridgerators are soooo expensive. Who would have thought that all these big girl things were so expensive! Well probably the whole world except for me. Anyway we are super pumped! And this is totally off the subject but, Banks, this is no where near as interesting as thesecondchance but, it makes me feel good that you take the time to read this so I promise that I will be better about posting more regularly. (Is that appropriate to have personal shout out on a post? Wait, this is totally MY blog, I say what is appropriate!)

Kelly time? What's that?

2005-06-28T09:03:00.000-07:00

So it totally has been oh about 3 months. I apoligize for the lack of anything interesting on my blog but to be perfectly honest this post will not be much different. The past 3 months have been crazy! I have started a new position with Easter Seals. It has been going really well but has contributed to totally throwing my routine off. So the running interest has dimished some what BUT last night I totally ran 6 miles! Who is proud of me? I am!
Another thing that has been crazy has been the start of the summer. My sweet husband is really truly the best youth minister in the world so the summers for us are BUSY! Well I say us, but probably more him. Well actually even though I can't attend most of the trips becuase they are during the week, I really do feel like I have a second full time job. At times I get worn out. I mean think about it 2 full time jobs! That is crazy! Most of my off time is filled up with kid time, but I really do love it! God really has put a love for teenagers in my soul and if I can't get paid for it I am thankful for the oppertunity to volunteer at it.
Oh this is something exciting and kind of out of the ordinary. This weekend I am going to Birmingham, AL to see my dear friend Matha (no I did spell her name wrong). Along will shopping till we drop we are going to go to Atlanta, GA to run in the Peach Tree Road Race. You might think that this is a boring ole 10K, which if you think running is boring then I guess a race would be boring. BUT this race happens to be the largest 10K in the world! Something like 50,000 people run in this. I am pretty pumped! Maybe slightly on the "in over my head" side, but still very excited. Well actully the goal of 6.2 miles in an hour doesn't seem that unatainable after last nights little jaunt. We will see!

Good Friends

2005-03-24T08:05:00.000-08:00

It is amazing to me, the older I get, how many people do not have good friends. I am not really sure why this is. I guess that people just get busy with their own lives and don't think about how important good friends are. Steven and I have both been so blessed to have many good friends. One of those dear friends, for me, is Matha. (No I did not spell her name wrong, that is the way I like to say it) My brother-in-law and her have come to Little Rock for few days to see Steven and I and it has been wonderful!
Last night we went to Goucho's and today I feel 10 lbs heavier, but it was so worth it. Man, I love their bananas! Anyway all that to say, God is awesome for blessing us with friends that love us for who we are and teach us to be more like him.

I am a runner

2005-03-11T06:38:00.000-08:00

Well kinda. I guess you can call me a runner because compared most, putting on a tee shirt and running shorts makes you some sort of hard core athlete. On a good week, I run with a friend 3x a week at 6:00 in the morn. Which, by the way, is really cold and up until a couple of weeks ago the sky was pitch black. Yesterday, though, I ran in the morning and then after work. Who's a stud now? When I run, my limit is 2 miles, which is kind of wusy, but I really think that the props are in the effort. This morning's run was sucky. Because I ran 4 miles yesterday, my body was screaming, "Are you crazy? I guess that you forgot you are our of shape and not Martha Kellum". Matha, is what I like to call her. She is a total stud when it comes to running. 5 miles a day? No problem for Matha. Right now I am sitting at my desk, sore, but loving the fact that my body aches because I am doing something good for it.

Just me, ranting about stupidity

2005-02-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

So I have this friend, who is the one person I probably talk to more then Steven. I promise, it's kind of ridiculous. So today, she told me that after church she had lunch with some girls all of whom she did not know except for one girl. Well, in the middle of normal lunch conversation, one of the randoms say that she can't be friends with ugly people because she has no sympathy for them. Then another, just as ignorant girl pipes in, saying that when she thinks about this other girl is right because she only has cute friends. What the HECK!!!!!!! When my friend told me about this conversation, I was totally and completely offended. I cannot believe that there are real human beings that would say such thing and also claim to be Christian. I am assuming that they claim to be Christians because this lunch was right after church. Actually, regardless of them being Christians the fact that anybody they would utter such words is horrendous. First of all, who decides who is pretty and who is not. I mean does she have a check list that requires high cheek bones, almond shaped eyes, and not a pound over a 110. "Nope sorry, you have one tiny laugh line and you eye lashes aren't quite a half an inch, we can't be friends". Who really thinks like this? In a world where people are starving for love an acceptance, is she so wonderful that she can reject love because one doesn't have flawless skin? After that comment, I highly doubt it. How shallow is that? It makes me furious to even think about it. Oh, how I wish I was sitting around that table. I am so irritated that such a girl would exist.

It's been a long time

2005-02-24T12:44:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the bloc-silence. I really just haven't felt like there is anything interesting I have to say. Jenny, I am writing this for you. 9 days is a very long time not to post anything. To tell you the truth I have been feeling kind of poopy over the past few days. I am not really sure why, maybe a lack of sleep or just trying to get over last weekend. This really truly has been such a busy week. Mostly that has shown itself in Steven and I's schedules being completely opposite. The last few days I have just seen him at night, when I am just about to go to sleep. It really stinks, but that's the life of a youth minister. Busy, busy, busy. I shouldn't complain, I really do have the best husband in the world. I mean what boy is going to listen to his Xbox games on head phones so I can sleep? Boy, I am an ogre.
I have also been quite involved in another fellow blogger's site. The discussion is kind of over my head but it is really interesting. I guess that the only time I feel like it is over my head is when I feel pressured to write a comment. I don't think like them and I am okay with that. I am perfectly happy just reading the comments and forming my own private opinions no matter how fluffy they are. These commenters do challenge me to think for myself and force me to figure out why I believe the way I do. And really, I think that I do have intelligent comments but my writing language is where I am feeling a little left behind. Which is where my lack confidence plays in. They are just so smart! Anyway that is all I got for today. I try and be more interesting tomorrow.

Just my thoughts

2005-02-15T14:00:00.000-08:00

As many of you know, I work a nonprofit agency that helps children and adults with disabilities of all kinds, learn to become more independent and productive. Some of them grow up to work in the community, other's abilities are so severe that they are unable to live normal lives as productive adults. At the beginning of each year we gear up to hold annual meetings with our clients and their parents/caretakers. This is always a great time reconnect with their parents and also gives us the opportunity to encourage the clients in front of their parents and for their parents to be encouraged themselves that their kids are doing well. Along with the great things that happen at these meetings, the parents normally will use this time to discuss with me how difficult and stressful it is to "raise" an adult with a disability. Most of the families are single parents that are poor. With only one income and $579 a month from SSI, you can imagine what the financial difficulties that these families face every day. I use the word "raise", because unlike adults without disabilities, our adults are being reared by someone for their entire lives. Their parents are burdened with their disability as well. A normal 5 year old can write their name and probably the names of others important people in their lives. I have 2 clients that have been trying to learn to write their name for over 50 years. In reality, they will never learn to write their names. I cannot imagine having a child that lives with you for the rest of your life and then having to make plans for their care after your life is over.
Along with this burden their are so many blessings. These adults teach me every day how to love people of all kinds with out holding back. I have never seen a person carry another's struggle and pain like our adults do. They teach me to be more like Jesus. They fight like 2 year olds, but love like our father. They say the most ridiculous things, but are always the first people of my day to tell me how nice I look. When I get to work, there is a line at my door of all these people that just want to say good morning and ask me what I ate for dinner last night. They are precious people and I am blessed to be able to work with such a special population.

Happy Valentine's day!!

2005-02-14T11:35:00.000-08:00

Today is Valentine's Day. I could spend this time writing about Valentine's and all that it means to me, but I decided that might be boring and those thoughts are better shared with my Punk.

I am not sure what to write, really. I could write about a friend's recent receivement of the tiniest dog in the world. Or, I could write about this same friend causing TWO trucks to get in accidents, one right after the other because both drivers in their respective trucks were to busy staring at her. Well, actually I have a few comments about that. What the heck? That is like something out of a National Lampoons movie. I can not believe that I actually know somebody that this has happened to. I mean don't get me wrong, this friend really is so cute, totally deserves the stares and the accidents, but things like that don't happen in real life. Amazing, really and truly, so amazing!

I could write about the place where my friend Courtney and I run in the morning, being spotlighted by 2 police cars as we pulled up this morning. That was kind of scary. I mean who knows what happened right before we showed up and who they were looking for. It makes me a little nervous, but also very blessed that we are in God's hands and under his protection. I could let my mind wonder and create the most frightening story ever but I am not sure that I would ever run again so we are going to try and keep a handle on that.

Really, that is all I got. I hope all have wonderful Valentine's Days with their punkins!

Who stole my pillow?

2005-02-09T06:54:00.000-08:00

Okay, so if you know me at all, you know how particular I am about sleeping. In bed by 10:00, clean sheets, no cuddling and absolutely no snoring!! Well after last night I have another rule to add to that list. Oh, I am so irritated as I write this. So, normally I am kind of a restless sleeper. That's fine with me, I cope. But when I get an awesome nights rest, it is a wonderful day! Last night I started out that way. Really! I hadn't moved all night and didn't wake up once. It was great! So while I am lying there in blissful slumber, I am jolted awake by someone snatching my pillow from right under my head! Can you believe it? The only "someone" this could be is my husband, Steven. I look over at him and see him peacefully sleeping away on a stolen pillow, MY PILLOW! So, of course I yank it right back telling him, "that's my pillow!" He, then has the nerve to look at me in an accusatory sort of way and ask me "well, where's my pill?" Are you kidding me? One thing that you should know about Steven is that he goes to bed with like 15 pillows all around him and throws a huge fit about who's side is who's. Oh your right, Steven. This is just another idea on my list to make "Stevens life more difficult". I laid awake all night silently gathering up all the pillows that you recklessly discarded and hide them from you, just so you wouldn't have a single place to lay to weary head.
To top it all off, when he not only robbed me of my pillow but also a great day, it startled me so bad that my heart was going 90 to nothing making it almost impossible to return to my slumber for at least 45 minutes! Don't get me wrong this boy is the love of my life, soul mate and best friend but when it comes to sleeping we part ways.
So in spite and retaliation, I wake his sleepy butt up after I got back from running, trying to make as much noise possible and attempted to use up every last drop of hot water.
Take that you pillow thief!

home alone

2005-02-08T07:48:00.000-08:00

One night a week, my husband, is gone to school in Memphis. Normally, so not a big deal. Really it's a night that I kind of look forward to. Get to sleep in any direction, on any side I want. I don't have to clean and then 10 seconds later reclean that very same spot that suspiciously my precious boy just left. I can do what ever I want with out having the pull of wanting to hang out at home with my punkin. It's normally great, but last night was different. It's really funny how when somebody is right next to you, don't really notice things. For example, the annoying tick that has being ticking since the day we moved in, sounds more like a big huge scary man trying to break in to rob me of my sense of security and sain ness, rather then just a timer tick that won't go away.
I also have a ridiculous way of convincing myself that someone is totally in our apartment and the only reason why I can't see or hear them is because they are hiding in some crazy place that normal sized people couldn't possibly fit in and are wearing some kind of super duper quiet shoes. Knowing full well that I checked every possible hiding place in our apartment, I convince my self that they some how sneakily crept in when I was in the bathroom or some other secludedarea of our home.
It's rediculous I know, but when I am home alone at night every sense of truth and reality seemed to have walked out the door and went to Memphis with my husband.
I need to work on this.

I love nerds!

2005-02-04T14:20:00.000-08:00

Apparently there is a rumor going around that I don't like nerds. Let me set the record straight... I am a nerd lover. It's true. Even though I have cool tendencies my core will always love nerds. Why do you ask? Well for several reasons really. 1) Nerds are not afraid to be themselves. They are some of the most genuine people you will ever meet. They have nothing to prove to anybody. Cool kids, on the other hand, have major maintenance issues. The second they loose track of what's "cool" they are no longer cool. There is no security or stableness in cool. Nerdiness = stability. 2) Nerds are visionaries. They continually look to how they can make things faster, smaller and just plan ole' better. 3) Nerds are typically smarter then the average fellow. Though social skills are top notch with the cool kids, you'll never beat a nerd at jeopardy unless you are a nerd yourself. 4) Nerds are fun. This is my last reason, though there are so many more, I need to go see my nerd at home. Here's what I think about nerds and fun. They for sure have their own type of fun and unless you embrace your own personal nerdiness you will never, ever understand. Their fun is clean and strategic. They also do a great job of forming communities around their type of fun. Which is pretty awesome seeing as how most of the world is community starved or oblivious to that need in them. So all this to say, I am and will always be a nerd lover.

welcome to the world of bloggers!

2005-02-03T13:51:00.000-08:00

So this really is a new thing for me. My husband, the most precious person in the world and also one of the biggest nerds, thinks this is stuff is awesome. So, in my atempt to be a equally awesome wife, I am putting aside my coolness and diving in to the world of bloggers. Everyone is welcome and all comments are encouraged even if you think they may hurt my feellings. I'm tuff.