If you are my Facebook friend, you may have wondered about my "secret". Here she is. I'm still working on a name for her...for now she is going by Lulu, but I'm not sure if that will stick or not. She is 14.5 weeks old...and very curious, but as you can see, loves to cuddle up when she is sleepy. :) She has already caused much laughter...and several hours of entertainment!




She loves her Becky...and wouldn't let her leave to go to the New Year's Party she was supposed to head out to. If you are in town, stop by and meet her!

As for the plural "secrets"...the other secret - I took a job. It's not my dream job by any stretch of the imagination, but I am looking forward to it. I'm going to be the lead teacher in a toddler room at a local neighborhood center. Not where I thought I'd be, but hey, it works!

Happy New Year, friends.

Those of you who are frequenters of this blog know my utter terror of jellyfish. So when I saw this article today, I had to share it....

Hundreds Injured in Mass Jellyfish Attack on Brazilian Beach

Sunday, December 30, 2007

SAO PAULO, Brazil — Nearly 300 swimmers looking to cool off from a heat wave were stung by swarms of jellyfish that filled the shallow waters off a southeastern beach city, Brazilian media reported Sunday.

At least 15 people including children and teenagers were treated in Praia Grande for severe stings, doctor Adriano Bechara told the Tribuna newspaper, though their lives were not in danger.

Many of the injured arrived at medical centers Friday and Saturday crying from the pain of the stings, paramedic Claudio Casadei told Tribuna. Most were treated and released.

Authorities blamed an extreme heat wave over the southeastern region for the swarm.

Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians flock to the country's beaches every year during the holiday season.

1) Skipping work and hanging out with my Brina.
(I didn't take a pic, so this one represents our fun afternoon!)



2) Whilst skipping work, having lunch with my friend, Scott...yummy tacos! And then playing "Jenga" with the taco sauce packets!
(Yes, I won!)



3) I officially graduated!!
(And my name was spelled right on the diploma!)


4) Christmas with my family...cooking in the kitchen with my brother and sis-in-law...it got to be close quarters! But we produced quite the spread!!
(And yes, my nephew was a wee bit hungry as you can see below...)








5) Seeing the people I love being ridiculous...
(Dad, please spare my life for this!! And who doesn't love a tough future Marine dancing!!)

Tonight my niece had her very first band concert. Needless to say, there wasn't anywhere else in the world I wanted to be. :) Last year, thanks to my brother freaking out, she and I had a talk about what instrument she should play (she had originally chosen flute)...and after that conversation, she decided to play the trombone...much to my pleasure! So now, my old marching horn is living and playing again through her.

She is one of two girls in the 5th grade trombone section...she rocks!

Yep, that's her in the gray. It was a great concert!

My niece and her fun friend C...who has basically become part of our family, too!

Me with my two favorite girls. :) I couldn't be more proud!!

People often talk about finding your "happy place" when life gets overwhelming. So tonight I was looking through pics and reliving laughter as I went someplace that brought me tremendous joy, even in the midst of the worst heartache of my life.

Life often doesn't turn out how we plan it. In fact, I'm finding that it rarely does. But I have to continue to believe in the midst of this storm that He's there...and that He's good...and that He has a plan. Even though I feel like He's left me in the dark...He's given me such precious treasures in the past that bring light my present. Friends who have stuck...and whose arms I can fall into when I cannot feel His.

Last week I found this song...and it resonates with the brokenness in my heart. I'm such an impatient person...God's timing and provision just isn't good enough for me so many times. And yet, who am I to tell God when or how to do things? I just have to give it time...His time.

Still waters, heavy hearts
Plans we make all fall apart
Disillusioned and lost in the gray
How can we fix the heart when it breaks?
Don't know how much more you can take

Just give it time
It's gonna get better
Now is not forever at all
Just give it time
Everything changes
Tomorrow comes today will be gone
Everything's gonna be fine
Just give it time, give it time

Quiet landslide when nobody knows
Regretted decisions that nobody chose
Under water and sinking fast
No way out, no way to get back
What might have been is lost in the past

When the world you're in is still again
And it all fades out
You've reached the end, begin again now

Everything's gonna be alright
Everything's gonna be alright
Just give it time

-Jon McLaughlin, "Just Give it Time"

"All the earth bows down to You..."
Psalm 66:4

Ice...
...if you have checked the weather at all lately, you might know that the whole Midwest has had some nasty ice storms in the past couple of days. This morning I had to go to an interview...the worst part was going down my stairs as I pretty much held onto the rail and slid down them! But thankfully, while the sun was out, the roads were just wet. I forgot how much fun living in the north can be during the winter!

Interviews...
...I had one today, one tomorrow, and one the next day! When it rains, it pours! I'm not sure if any of these positions are "the one"...but it's nice to know that I'm at least wanted somewhere! All three are teaching gigs of sorts. I've also applied for a couple more positions other places (non-teaching). Seems like hope is on the horizon!

Inspiration...
...well, I call it my little revelation, but I had to go with the whole "I" thing. :) Today as I was driving home from my interview I was talking to God and all of a sudden it just hit me...but only time will tell if it was my long awaited "revelation". ;) I have decided that when I get a job, any job at this point, I am going to work on getting my certification to teach ELL (for those of you who have no clue what that is...its the new PC terminology for ESL - English as a Second Language). Then I am going to look for a job (anywhere, not necessarily in Iowa) for the next school year. I miss the kids...and I miss the international feel...and I miss the teacher schedule! :) So this would be ideal, I think...like I said, we'll see if this is my "revelation"...but it seems to fit me pretty well. :)

'Tis the season...for birthdays!
Today marks my friend Karin's birthday...
My Karin lives across the big lake right now
and that makes me sad for me
but happy for her...
So with you, I will share a few pics of my friend...

I don't think there is anyone I enjoy sitting in the rain with more
while watching an incredible electric storm light up the sky...

Rarely does one meet someone who is just as slightly crazy as oneself...
but alas, God was good and crossed my path with one who is. :)

Sometimes we just have to strike out and reach for our dreams.
My friend inspires me on so many levels.

My friend, may this next year of your journey be filled with laughter and love...
and many days such as this that you can recall in the hard times.
Thanks for all the fun times...and I look forward to sooo many more!
Shalom, Karin...and Happy Birthday! :)

Today is the day (several years back!) one of my very favorite people was born...my beloved roomie and friend from the past couple of years...Bekah!

She's one of the most loving, compassionate, hilarious people I have met.

And I am utterly thankful that God crossed our paths.

My friend, I have learned much from you and still laugh at all the fun times we have had...and look forward to more in years to come.
Eric better spoil you today...if he doesn't, just let me know!
Happy Birthday!!!

I couldn't resist a little movie for those of you who live in snow-less lands! :)
It snowed all day...literally! And it is positively beautiful...this is the first snowfall I've seen in four years...it's so beautiful and serene!

Welcome to my house...hit play and enjoy your tour!