WE GOT THE TICKETS!!!!!

Whee-hoo!!! I'm so excited!!!! Bryan and I bought the tickets to Italy this morning! Thank goodness we're in the offseason, as far as travel goes. Tickets are usually a bit cheaper in the offseason, I think. Anyway, we're going to fly to Philadelphia on Wednesday, November 22nd. We'll be there that night and then most of Thanksgiving, and our flight leaves at 6PM the next day! I'm excited--I've never been to Philadelphia. Bryan and I'll check out the Liberty Bell an 'at. Whee-hoo! You may be thinking, hmmm, is she more excited about Philadelphia or Italy? HA!
Okay, here's the story on Italy. The apartment is ready for me. I'll stay there, while Bryan is in the cabin in the woods(hmm, sound like a song?) he told me he'd visit the apartment as much as possible, but he actually will be closer to the restaurant in the mountains by being in the cabin. I know, I'll miss him TERRIBLY, but we'll see each other as much as we can.
I get to work with the teens and young adults in the church. Most of them understand English, but I've been working on my Italian more lately. Learning more fun words, having a blast. We're going to study today, now that we have the tickets bought!! Studiamo oggi! (We study today.)
I'll also be keeping in touch with the soldiers at the base in Vicenza. Francesco Fergnani, the preacher over there, told me that with the language barrier, it's difficult sometimes to keep contact with them, but I'll be able to keep up with them!!! He said it will be one of my duties!!! I'm typing so quickly b/c I'm so excited. My hands are practically shaking!!!! Whee-hoo!!!!
Anyway, so I hope everyone will keep Bryan and me in prayers. With prayer and petition, this will be a mission with which God will be happy. Whee-hoo!!!!! (Does God say Whee-hoo? I think He does with some things, especially a lost soul who turns over his life to God.)
Okay, gotta go--so many things to do!!!!!!
^_^

To blog or not to blog--that is the question...

Hello. Kinda been in hiatus as far as the blog-world is concerned. Have visited other blogs, but just have not had much to say. Lately, my life is filled with Bryan, working, a combination of the two, and studying Italian with him. I'm getting better. Ricordo poco l'italiano.--I remember a little Italian--(the language, not an Italian person...)
it's fun. One of the things we're using to study is a CD of italian words that we listen to on the way to work. The woman that speaks Italian has a weird way of emphasizing her words. Bryan and I spend half the time learning, and half the time making fun of her. ^_^
Stryker's all well and good. Healthy as a horse and getting big as one.
Got my hi-notes done today. They're so much fun, and people like them. I hoped they would, but they like them more than I expected. Yeah. ^_^
I'm saving my money for the trip to Italy, so my membership to my gym has expired, and I do not plan on renewing until I get back in March. Kinda sad b/c I love the classes, but it has sparked my creativity as well. I make up my own exercise routines at home, and I try to remember the ones I did in class. Thanks again to Mom for buying me weights so I can try to keep a muscle. ^_^
Okay, that's all. Love to all!!!!

I usually don't do this...

Just wanted to make sure that people didn't miss my Oct. 12th blog. I had so much fun writing it, but then I added the dress picture, and I was afraid no one would go back to read it! Anyway, I hope you enjoy my blog with the fat people cartoon on it. I had fun with it. Thanks for indulging me! ^_^

Here's Julie's bridesmaids!!!!

The best husband ever!!!!!

Okay, so I missed my husband. I was gone from him for EIGHT WHOLE DAYS. The longest stretch EVER. Before, it was for the same reason--I was in a wedding--and I was gone 4 days. Eight was barely manageable. I love him so much!!! Okay, before you gag too much, I have a crazy story to tell you about the flight home.
My first flight was delayed. No big deal. I looked at my flight time and thought, with an hour flight, I'll still have an hour and a half layover. I was in the C boarding group, and for you non-flyers, that meant that I was the last to board. no big deal. I then was a little worried I might be stuck with one of those big-armed, hog the arm rest, fat men. or worse, I'd be stuck BETWEEN THEM.

wouldn't you love to sit between these two?

Anyway, I saw a spot between two thin 40's-ish men, and I figured this was going to be the best spot available, so when I asked if I could sit there, they said, "That depends, are you a Cardinals fan?" Then I said, "I was in Pennsylvania watching the Cardinals play the Pirates, and I cheered for the Cardinals!" They let me sit down.
The gentleman to my left and I talked the whole time. It's nice to not be the one boring somebody. We just kept talking! I think he'd be perfect for my mom. Too bad he lives in Kansas City. ^_^
Anyway, the plane landed in St. Louis, and then the flight was continuing on to Chicago. by the time we got to Chicago, there were FIVE MINUTES until the last call to board my connecting flight to Pennsylvania!!!! Freaked out, thinking about the fact that I could potentially miss my plane and have to spend the night in Chicago, I took off my HIGH-HEELED SHOES and BOOKED IT. I'm sure I looked hilarious, barefoot and sprinting while wearing a huge backpack, but I was a wreck! Plus, I heard a thud! behind me and then "Ma'am, MA'AM!" It was simply people telling me that I had dropped a book out of my backpack, so I grabbed my book and took off again.
I looked at my watch, which said NINE, and my plane was supposed to take off at 8:55. I got to B10 and said, "Is...the plane...still there...?" (all the while gasping for breath.) The guy said, "Don't worry, it's still here--oh, they probably didn't tell you that they would hold the plane, did they?" to which I replied, "nooooooooo!!!!!!!" Behind me was an equally out of breath and quite relieved girl that was on the same flight I was.
Anyway, I made it home safely. Bryan picked me up. BIG hugs, fun kisses.
So glad to be back. Had a wonderful vacation--thanx Mom for making everything so homey! I had fun in Texas playing with Kim's beautiful kids. Johnathan loved the puzzle I got him, so that was fun putting it together. Also, we watched my new edition of "The Little Mermaid." I loved seeing the way his face lit up!!!
Love to all!!!!!! ^_^

Hello all!

Life is good. today is probably one of my favorite days in a long time. Last night, Julie's lingerie shower went very well. We had a fun, most girly time. ^_^ Today was cool b/c we had the bridesmaid's luncheon, and after that I went to campus and hung out with people I haven't seen in forever. It's amazing how much Harding's changed--again!! Seriously--every time you turn around, there's a NEW BUILDING. Good for Harding. It looks nice!
Man, these kids are getting older and older. Kids that were in my baby brother's class are now SOPHOMORES AT HARDING. I'm not getting old, though. I refuse to get old. Older, yes, but NOT OLD. I don't get old. I just become better with age. Can I get an amen?
Looking forward to the wedding tomorrow. Julie will be absolutely gorgeous. We bridesmaids are wearing strapless apple red dresses. Whee-hoo! They're pretty. ^_^
Okay, well, hope we all enjoyed my blog. Love to all!!!!
K ^_^