Our camping trip

This was our first camping trip together and it was SO much fun!!!

"Us" setting up the tent

"Us" building the fire

"Us" taking down the tent

Us
And us again

Picture time

Max and Sage - the twins I nanny for

Max

Sage

Just hanging out and playing. We played a bit of poker too and Paul beat us all!

On my birthday we went to the park and took some pictures of each other for fun

The picture bellow amused us both greatly... is it a smile or a frown?!

Faith, Carrie, Jenelle and I spent an evening at the zoo. It was fun... even if they did close everything early!!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Spenny!!! =) Sorry we're a day late!!! We hope you had a great day!!!

Just chillin' at the library

Having friends and family that totally forget your birthday (or that are in a thirld world country with an unrealiable mail system) is kind of a cool thing... because even though they forgot your birthday on the day of your birthday, they 1) grovel at your feet apologizing about having forgotten (Heather!!!) and 2) help prolong the birthday celebrations by sending the card/and or gift LATER!!!
I am a sucker for anything that comes through the mail... so fun!!! =) (and I did get your card Aunt Polly - thank you =)

Today was a very exciting day for me. Granted, it doesn't take much to make my day exciting...
I was at the market today and was talking with one of the men selling some veggies. I asked him where he was from - and it turns out he was from Nigeria!!! How cool, eh?! I was so excited!! I had never been to his city, but he knew the village that I had spent the year at, and it was just so cool to chat with him about it.
He told me about this store that sells Nigerian food, so I stopped at it to check it out. I'll have to wait till Angie comes to visit and can cook it for me... or make friends with some Nigerians around here that could make it for me =)

It has been awhile...

It has been awhile since I updated on here. Our internet at our apartment has been giving us problems, and the part we ordered a week ago still hasn't come, so we have been having to hang out at the library to get online. Not so fun.

Lots of things have been going on:

Mum has been in Nigeria for almost a whole month now. Lucky her!!! I am quite jealous!!!

New neighbors moved onto our floor and they are so much fun!!! Rob and Ashleigh are a little older than us, they love games too, and we've done suppers and games together, and tomorrow I am going to the flea market with them =)

The Ladies Time Apart was at our apartment and Anita turned in into a surprise party for me!! How cool is she?? =)

I had my birthday and Paul is the most awesome present buyer =) He's decided every year he's going to buy me a nice purse, so I can keep adding to my collection =) Hurray for husbands who understand addictions!!! He also got me: Spiderman 1 & 2, a book, Victoria secrets 'pretty in pink' body spray, lotion and shower gel (I love this stuff!! Heather bought me a bottle of the lotion over five years ago and I still have some of it - I couldn't bring myself to use it all!!), three belly rings (there's a confession to anyone out there who doesn't know I pierced my belly button in Nigeria... Angie's influence) and a hand held electronic Suduko puzzle. He even had everything all wrapped up nicely!! =)

I had a wisdom tooth removed and two fillings put in - the first dental work I have ever had. The frozen mouth feeling was actually pretty cool =) I am a dork, I know!!!

I have lots of pictures to put on here, but will have to wait till I can do that from our apartment!!!

June 9 - 11

Uncle Tom, Aunt Lois, Julie and Ben crashed at our place Thursday night. They arrived late Thursday night, and Paul left for work early Friday morning, so Paul and the Wheeler's didn't get to see each other!

I woke up Friday morning with a great idea - hitch a ride up to Stouffville with the Wheeler's! The car was rather squishy on the way up, but lots of fun =)

We stopped at Niagara Falls on the way up. Julie and Ben had never seen it before.

Aunt Lois
Me, Ben and Julie

So Beautiful!
Wheeler Family

Uncle Rick, Aunt Laurie, Andy, Kevin and Tanner all drove up from NY to see the family.

On Saturday we spent the whole day together.

All the cousins (minus Tanner) went to the mall. I love you guys!!! =)

Uncle Rick and family drove me to their home, where Paul and Jerry went to pick me up from. It was lotsa fun driving down with them!!

Garage Sales

It's so exciting that Paul shares the same love for garage sales as I do!!! We spent some time yesterday doing that, and then some more time today. We got some great deals today - a juicer for $3 and a Hoover vac for $1 - no more borrowing the vaccum from #8!! (If this one works well!!) Levi, your vaccum is all yours again! =)

Mark and Leah Wheeler

Mark and Leah's wedding was beautiful and lots of fun!! Thanks for inviting us! =)

The whole family - Buchannon's, Wheeler's, Crowe's and Morris'!
Paul and me all dressed up
Leah's parents, the bride and groom, Mark's parents
Julie, Angie, Mark, Leah and Spencer
The bubble walk!!!
More bubble walk!
Julie, me, Esther

Mark and Leah leaving

I am still here.

The last few weeks have been crazy - trips up to Stouffville, trips to North Carolina, lots of work, and midnight visiters =) I have tons of pictures, lots of stories... so many memories!!!
I will have to share them all next time... tonight mum is leaving for Nigeria!!! WOOHOO!! Her visa came through on FRIDAY! Talk about last minute! I am so excited for her, and so jealous too! I had been hoping to go with her. Oh well. It obviously didn't happen.
She will be waiting to get on the plane now... how fun!! Even though you won't be reading this for a long time mum just want to let you know we're praying for you and hope you have a WONDERFUL time over there with g'pa and g'ma, all your old friends and my black babies! =)

The two weeks in a nut shell

I am back in Ohio with Paul =) I drove back on Tuesday and had a fun trip back. I am easily amused... At a store I saw a woman who so obviously belonged to the Red Hat Society. (Which was exciting to me!!)
While I was driving a dude in the car next to me was doing a crossword puzzle - as he drove!!
And when I stopped for a drink at a gas station I saw a guy shop lifting. I told management but I didn't hang around to see what security did because the guy knew I saw him, and I didn't want him to do anything to me!!

Paul's flight got in Tuesday night at 9:50. He was very tired, and took Wednesday and Thursday off work.

My trip up north was good =) I had lots of fun. Aunt Polly spoiled me with a cheesecake. Yum.
I was able to visit with lots of people, though still not everyone I had hoped to.
The C&C sports day was great with 48 people out to play soccer and ultimate frisbee. I even played Ultimate for a bit. Frisbee is my new love.
And of course the highlight of the two weeks being sitting outside Wonderland Sunday night for 45 minutes in the cold wind and light rain with the small little group that made it out to that.
Though a close second to that would be discovering "Corner Gas" - the funniest and coolest show ever!! I love it. I am hooked.

I am now all pumped about the trip to NC next weekend. The Wheeler's are arriving there soon (today or tomorrow.) I can't wait!!!

I am off to work now...

Friday,May 12

Yesterday was quite the day. I think it was officially the worst day of my life to date. It started with the noises that kept me up until 3 in the morning. Then I was awoken at 8 am, and got up and finished my packing and house cleaning. I had to pull our bikes and grill into the apartment, and it had poured rain throughout Thursday night, so everything was soaking wet. I should have known that with a start like that it would have been better to of stayed in bed…

But I didn’t. I headed on my merry little way about noon. Unfortunately for me it wasn’t an uneventful day. About 3 I stopped for gas and the car wouldn’t start back up again. I sat at the gas station for 45 minutes until a rough and tough looking biker dude offered to help me out. He got the car started, so I continued on my drive up north.

Then the window broke. The drivers window got stuck half way up – and would not budge!! I bundled up with a hoodie and a jacket, and put the heater up on high.

Then it started to rain. I had to sit under a bridge until the rain let up.

By then I had to pee really badly, but I couldn’t go inside anywhere since the window was down – I didn’t want to leave my things accessible to people. So I pulled behind a Wal-mart and pee-ed outside. Noticing a little too late that the spot I picked was within site of the highway. Hopefully no one was looking!!!

By the time I got to my parents it was 9:30 – a nine and a half hour drive!! (It should be just six hours.) But the adventure wasn’t over for me…

I got food poisoning from a burger and I was up all night long throwing up. I didn’t much sleep, and I am now exhausted and weak. What a way to start my vacation!!

I was able to talk with Paul this morning. He had just gotten off from a 26 hour shift!! Yikes. Sounds like his day was just about as bad as mine was!!! But he now gets a 12 hour break, and then will start the night shift and from now on he will work 12 hours on then 12 hours off.

Goodnight Moon

THE GREAT GREEN ROOM, originally uploaded by Disembedded.

For being such an independant person I have THE hardest time falling asleep when I am on my own. Last night I didn't fall asleep till just after two in the morning, and right now it is midnight and I am no where near ready to fall asleep. My imagination is just a little too creative and I end up freaking myself out over any and all noises that I might hear... or even make up in my mind.

I am almost out of things to occupy my time with... so with the hope of putting myself to sleep I am sitting here blogging. I found the coolest picture from the "GOODNIGHT MOON" book that seemed appropriate for this blog.

I really don't get why kids find this book so great. But all the little kids I know that own this book LOVE it. I like it because it's easy reading. YAY for easy reading books at nap or bed time!

Paul is currently in Louisianna. He isn't suppose to use his cell phone at all, but he has called me a couple times already. There are about 150 of them in a huge circus sized tent. And it is very hot. I don't envy any of them that are there!!!

I spent the day at the Doeringer's - Chase (4yrs) went with Scott and me to some of the houses Scott had to check on and we had some great conversation!! He is the funniest kid.
He told me he was hungry, so I gave him a small piece of my sandwich - about three bites worth.
He took one bite and then handed it back to me.
I said "Oh Chase, that whole thing was for you. I don't mind if you eat it."
He said "I don't mind that you don't mind, but I don't want it thank you."

Then awhile later he said to me "Jessica, how come you've never invited me over to your house?"
I said "I never knew you wanted to come over Chase. What would you like to do at my house?"
He said "Oh (sigh) anything. I would make you breakfast, help you make lunch and supper. Maybe help you make the bed. And give you a back scratch."
I made a mental note to make sure to invite that kid over LOTS!! =)

I got back to the apartment just after 8, and watched a little bit of American Inventor while matching socks. I don't know how two people can own so many pairs of socks. A basket was full of mismatched socks - and our drawers have never run out of matched ones!! If anyone ever wants a pair of used socks, feel free to ask Paul or myself for a pair!!
Anyways... American Inventor... I can see a "Canadian Inventor" in the near future. Maybe there already is such a show??? I don't know. I think it's a cool show. It's down to the final four - who will win? I don't even know who to pick!! They have all played with my emotions and made me feel badly for them. As for the actual "coolest" invention... it would have to be between the baby thing and the bike. Probably the bike. But I might change my mind tomorrow. The football thing was pretty sweet. And the game looked like fun! Funny how it was all men in the end...

I am almost already to drive up to Stouffville tomorrow!! HURRAY!! I am so excited. And we are getting rid of our station wagon... so the hunt is on for a new car - a smaller car that is much more gas efficient. Much, much more gas efficient.

Computer room pictures

Customer Service

At the market I only buy from one woman. She told me if I was good to her she would be good to me.
Meaning I buy my fruits and veggies only from her and she would give me the best produce she had for the best price.
I went to see her today to pick up a few different fruits. While I was looking over some of her things another woman (who was dressed rather poorly, had unruly hair and was dragging three dirty children along with her) walks up and rudely asks/demands to be able to pick out the fruit that she wants to buy because "I only want the best and you won't be able to pick that out for me, so can I pick out what I want?"
The seller told her that she can't pick out what she wants, she has to take what she gives her. When the woman wandered off (after grumbling and not buying anything) I asked the seller why she said that to the woman when she lets me pick and choose what I want.
Her response was "Trash deserves trash." Wow. That was harsh. I am glad I am in her good books.

NEVER SAY TO A COP ...

1. I can't reach my license unless you hold my beer.

2. Sorry, Officer, I didn't realize my radar detector wasn't plugged in.

3. Aren't you the guy from the Village People?

4. Hey, you must've been doin' about 125 mph to keep up with me. Good job!

5. Are You Andy or Barney?

6. I thought you had to be in relatively good physical condition to be a police officer.

7. You're not gonna check the trunk, are you?

8. I pay your salary!

9. Gee, Office r! That's terrific. The last officer only gave me a warning, too!

10. Do you know why you pulled me over? Okay, just so one of us does.

11. I was trying to keep up with traffic. Yes, I know there are no othercars around.. That's how far ahead of me they are.

12. When the Officer says "Gee ....Your eyes look red, have you been drinking?" You probably shouldn't respond with,"Gee Officer your eyes look glazed, have you been eating doughnuts?"

A little boy was attending his first wedding. After the service, his cousin asked him,.
"How many women can a man marry?"
"Sixteen," the boy responded. His cousin was amazed that he had an answer so quickly.
"How do you know that?"
"Easy," the little boy said. "All you have to do is add it up, like the Bishop said, 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, 4 poorer."

CALEB

H A P P Y

B I R T H D A Y

C A L E B

!!!

Check out ESTHER'S blog for more pictures of the birthday dude

Today

I have a long list of things to do today, and the list isn't even half ticked off yet;

* I have to pick supper for tonight... there is a large selection of meats in the freezer, guess I should have put something in the fridge last night!! I just don't know what I want to make. And do I want to use rice or potatoes with it? Mixed veggies or corn? Then I will have to figure out how to make it into a nice lunch for tomorrow for Paul.

* Empty dishwasher

* Load dishwasher

* Do laundry

* Work out

* Clean computer room

We just don't have enough storage in this apartment for everything!! We have Christmas stuff sitting in the computer room because there is no where else for it to go!! I will have to try to create more room in one of the closets. Maybe I will get rid of some of the stuff we have. We have SO much stuff!!!

The Workers and Elders Conference is comin' up next week. And while I am thinking about that I should make a link to the coolest site that Shawn and friends have created Brethrenpedia. It's pretty cool and has all the information you could ever want to know about the Brethren assemblies. And if you happen to know something about an assembly that no one else knows, or that isn't on the site, then you can add it yourself! How cool is that??

Happy Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISSIE B!!!!

Weird stuff

Is the national anthem still the national anthem if sung in Spanish??



A Bible purse that is discussed on Fox News.

Prayer request

Natalie just told me about a terrible accident involving people from her school.

The details are here. Keep the students and families in your prayers!!

One year

Our anniversary was very nice =) I had the flu and Paul had drill, but he was able to be home by 5:30, and we had a good evening together =) We were given a grill yesterday (yay!) so Paul did steaks and burgers on it. Yumm! We'd also bought a chocolate pecan pie and some very good icecream. Chocolate pecan pie is the best!!! I think we're 20 pounds heavier now, but it was so worth it!!! =)
We're thinking every year we'll do the traditional anniversary gifts. I made Paul a mini-scrapbook of our first year together, and he bought me a picture frame with rice paper in the glass and a big 'basket' of bath gels. So fun! =)

For some reason I can't load any pictures right now... oh well. I have posted plenty of wedding pictures in the past =) Ya'll remember what we looked like! =)

Our one year is tomorrow!!

More pictures at a more decent hour!

Caleb & the ladies

Thoughts spinning through my head….

Joe Mikhael and Mr. Attwood were both remarkable and challenging speakers. In the two days they covered ‘The Failures of The Old Testament’, ‘Nehemiah’, ‘Spiritual Sacrifices’, and ‘1 Peter.’ It was a lot to take in!! These are a few of the quotes or thoughts that have been running through my head:

-We as sinful people are what’s wrong with the world. If we are the problem we cannot be the solution.

-We should be people of praise. If you are praising constantly then it will be easy to praise instantly.

-The church is not for man to design to his whim and wishes. It is God’s house and we are to be in reverence and respect it.

-Are we moved with compassion to the point of tears for the people of God?

-Someone who is willing to take ownership for their sins will make a powerful leader.

-In order to be able to respond in a godly manner when you are in an uncomfortable situation you must be in constant communication with God.

-Don’t underestimate the value of your testimony.

-Use what you have available to you for the glory of God.

-God isn’t going to ask us to do anything miraculous. He will perform the miraculous. He just wants us to be partakers of His work.

A story from Grandpa

I admire my grandparents so much. They have been serving the Lord in Nigeria, West Africa for over fifty years now! When I was over there in '03 and '04 I had the chance to get to know them and to hear some of the things they had witnessed during their time there. Unfortunately I did not write much of it down! =( But today I stumbled across a story Grandpa told me that I did write down, so I thought I would type it out as he told it to me;


"A tall, dignified Nigeria man had been told the gospel and understood it, but would not believe it for himself. He knew it was all true, and I didn't know why he wouldn't come to the Truth.
I asked him one time 'Why won't you accept this truth? Is there something in my life that is not consistent with the Bible?'
'No!' he replied immediately.
'Well then', I asked again, 'Is it because of your son?' His son and daughter were both believers.
'No, not my son,' he answered.
'Something with your daughter?' I asked.
'No, nothing with her' he responded.
'Then what is it that is holding you back?' I asked.
'Well, I will tell you,' he finally said. 'I am the oldest man in the village, as was my father. When my father died he made me promise to keep the traditions and sacrifices, and it is because of this promise that I can not accept Christ.'
God reminded me of the story of Lazarus and the rich man, and so I told the story to the man and explained to him that his father would not want him to keep the promise and end up in a place as horrible as he was in.
Nothing happened that day, but I was told, after he died, that when he was on his death bed he had all the idols he had given out collected and burned, and that he proclaimed Christ as his Savior."

"I wanna walk like you, talk like you"... cook like you too...

I am in awe of my husband and his many talents! =) He can make anything in the kitchen as well as, or better, than me. It is so much fun having a husband that can cook and create things in the kitchen. I'll admit (and shhh! don't tell him) some of his things are just weird. Or too spicy. But he makes amazing bread, and the best pizza I have ever had (and I have had alot of pizza!!) Most mornings he makes me breakfast (though I do sit at the table to eat it!! So it's not breakfast in bed... but that sure is a good idea...)

Tonight he was in a baking mood and made delicious double chocolate and marshmellow cookies and he also made chocolate covered coffee beans. He is already regretting having made those as I have eaten alot of them and will be bouncing off the walls tonight when he is trying to sleep. =)

Beautiful

I saw this sunset on my way home last night and stopped to get some pictures.

"Being together and Sweet Fellowship"

I got home last night about 9pm after an amazing six days with family and friends. It was such a fun trip!!!
Great speakers, fun times, yummy food, good memories.

The Easter conference was back at Martin Grove this year =) It was great seeing people that I hadn't seen in awhile. The speakers were excellent, and I really enjoyed their messages.

Sunday the youth group did an amazing Easter production. I was very impressed.

I left Stouffville yesterday about 1, dropped Amanda off at her place in Hamilton, then continued on my way, getting home just before 9. I love long drives SO much!! =)

It was great to get back here to Paul again - I missed him so much!!


I think I am still too tired to write intelligently, but I promised pics to a bunch of people, so here they are:

The girlies

~Alison, Jessica, me, Amanda, Esther~

It has been AGES since we had seen Alison!!
We had to take a picture since our last one of us together was... well... 'nough said.

*

Saturday night a group of us decided to go out to Williams Coffee Pub.

Ben tried taking a group picture of us, and it didn't quite work!
The nice waitress came over and took the second one for us!

~Ben, Essie, Ryan, Andrea, me, Manda~

Much better!!

*

Sunday night at D.Q.

Spenny, Andrew, Priscilla, Gail, Dave, Amanda, me

Sarah, Andrea, Amy, Danielle, Tim, Stephen

Essie, Ryan, Carolyn, Ben

*

The subject of this post was in honor of the 'sweet jokes' with Ryan!! Hehe... sick minded people...