Auntie Grantie!!!!

Yes!!!! It is true I am going to be aunt again! This time it is my little brother Dan and his lovely wife Krissy! The new little one will be joining us in January! I know that some of you may not be quite as excited as me but a new life is something to be excited about, especially when I get to be the aunt that spoils this new little one!!!

Bouncy Fun!!!

Last week we took our kids to this new Trampoline Complex in Selinsgrove. Let's just say I lasted about 5 minutes and then had to sit down, but those five minutes were definately fun filled. Check out some of our pictures (The one of Braedon is the best!!!)

Smash-O-Rama 2008

What a fun night! We dropped some really fun things from this cherry picker. I must say that I was a bit scared going up but what a rush to drop a TV from 30 feet in the air and watch it smash on the ground with 30 kids cheering in the distance! In the pictures you will see the TV that I dropped, Braedon dropping a TV (I would have put my picture, but his was cooler, and the best picture which was a grape soda bottle exploding after it bounced off the ground.

Finally a good day!!!

It has been a long time coming...a good day...in fact I was about to resign to the fact that I was not going to be able to have much energy for the rest of my life...that's the mind games that my MS plays on me. But when all you ever feel is tired it is no surprise that a person gets down in the dumps and feels as if things will never change, right? Well right or wrong that is how I have been feeling for over two months now. I have had so many bad days in the last month that I had to start taking a new medication to see if I can get through a week without having to spend at least one day in bed.

So with all of that being said...Monday I had a great day! I felt almost normal for the entire day, I played in a golf tournament and I didn't get dizzy or faint once, my hands didn't hurt and my eye wasn't stupid...all reasons to celebrate! Then I had a nice dinner. After dinner I found out that I was the lucky winner of 4 tickets to the Penn State Temple game next year (my dad is so excited!). Then I went to a Arbonne party and had a facial that was fun, and I topped the evening off with a little Gilmore Girls with a friend - if it hadn't been for having to take my shot that night - it would have almost made perfect day status!

So rejoice in the good days for they are what gets me through!

Yet another!

Yet another what you may be asking yourself. Well I am sure that I can come up with many yet anothers...like yet another frustrating day of dealing with technology that doesn't work....yet another fun experience dealing with crazy tennis coaches from other schools that think they are always right and everyone else is always wrong (okay I didn't deal with her directly but her attitude affects one of my boys so that affects me!) Yet another trip in our van without seats, because someone (not mentioning any names) did not put the seats back in. Yet another obedience class has come and gone - however Tucker was much better today - must be because Samantha came along.... and the real yet another...drugs. Yes - this whole message is about drugs. I went to the doctor today and they put me on yet another medication. I actually don't even know what it is called...all I know is that it is supposed to help me from getting yet another migraine, it is also supposed to help me sleep and be less stressed as well as not be so stinkin tired all the time. So yet again I find myself complaining about yet another treatment when in reality I should just be thankful that treatments are available. So yeah - this is yet another blog about my frustrations and ventings about having MS - it sucks I don't recommend you trying it!

Happy 101th Post!!!

I just saw on my dashboard that this is my 101th post!! Go me!!! I am now an official blogger extrodinaire!!! (and I can't spell!) So it may be a couple days before I blog again because my office computer crashed and now my laptap refuses to be powered by its brand new power cord that cost $140!!!! Awwwhhwhwhhww!!! (that is me screaming clean frustration words!!!)

Thinking Happy Thoughts!

That is my goal today - think happy thoughts, don't focus on the fact that I still have a headache and a hangover from my shot (my MS shot, not an alcoholic one), but it is a beautiful day outside, I am getting some things done. I have a massage scheduled so I am hoping that will make my body feel better. And then at the end of the day I am can rest! Celebrate the good days! And tolerate the rough days, even when they are really bad!

Can't Sleep!

So it is the second night in a row that I have not been able to fall asleep. Last night I was in bed at 8pm - and watched a movie - couldn't sleep, so I watched a little Gilmore Girls - still couldn't sleep. At 2am I finally fell asleep...then tonight - I was exhausted all day, the sun, the heat, I mowed my lawn, tried to hit some tennis balls - almost passed out...then I went to Young Life - finally at 10pm I was in bed ready for the night - but couldn't sleep, so I watched finished watching season five of Gilmore Girls...by the way what a horrible way to end the season!!! Since I am still up I should just start season six to find out what happens...but I will refrain since my head hurts! Anyway - I am going to try to sleep again.

Nim's Island

This is a cute movie - it has action, drama, laughter, and it is good for the whole family. I don't think I heard one curse word, and little, if any, questionable material. I would definately recommend it. It is like a adventure book and a movie all wrapped together. It was very creative and somewhat whimsical (that is a fun word!) And best yet - I got to watch it from a couch at the campus theater!

Sibling Rivalry

So this past weekend at our Branching Out retreat we had a little family reunion for Tucker...he got to see his little sister Molly for the first time in 8 months. It was funny to see how much bigger Tucker is, it was also funny to see how Molly put Tucker in his place...I guess she is a typical woman! Anyway - it was fun to see them play together! Although in the pictures above - Tucker is definately the boss!

Oh Victory!

I finished the walk - wow a whole four miles - I am so proud of myself. Okay I guess I am being a bit sarcastic...(I am guessing that surprises many of you!) I am glad that I did it, frustrated that I needed my friend to help me through it (thanks Jeanne!) But I guess what frustrates me is that last year I did it and I felt great. This year I was lucky to finish...this is going to sound ridiculous, but my life goal is to run (or complete) a marathon - how am I ever going to be able to do that when I can barely walk four miles! So this is one of those moments I just need to be thankful that I can walk and I am doing as well as I am, and not compare myself to what I used to be, because the past is the past. Anyway - I big thank you to all my friends that walked yesterday! It means so much to me that you were willing to walk, and for my friend Meg - those four miles were for you! Thanks for your support!

Lewisburg MS Walk

Hey Friends if anyone is in the area and free this weekend - join us for the Lewisburg MS walk. We already have a team together called the J-Crew. You are welcome to come and join our team and walk, but if you can't walk but would like to make a donation you can go to nationalmssociety.org and look for information about how to donate towards a walker or a team. Please don't feel obligated, just wanted to pass along the information. The walk will take place this Sunday at 3pm at the Lewisburg American Legion. It is a four mile walk, let's see if I can make it to the finish!

A venting moment

So I have been avoiding blogging a bit this week, because I didn't really have anything good to say. Then I realized that it is my blog so I can pretty much write about what I want, I just have to do it in a way that does not reveal names or confidential information. This week I can honestly say that I do not enjoy coaching...in fact had you asked me yesterday I would have used the "hate" word. My doctors told me that stress is not good for me, that I need to rest more and reduce my hours. Yet I used to love coaching...in fact it gave me energy...I loved working with the kids, I loved giving them instruction and encouragement. This week I have felt the opposite. I feel as though I have been beaten up, all for the sake of trying to love kids and teach them the importance of structure, and respect.

I actually don't care whether we win or lose (it is kinda fun to win sometimes) I just want to have a nice group of guys that care about the sport, that care about each other, and that show respect for what their coaches. Maybe this is just a faze for me and I will change my mind later, but I just don't know how long I can continue to coach when it makes be feel so beat up.

Branching Out Retreat

It has been a week!!! I didn't know so many crazy things could happen in one week, but if I were to have written any blogs this week, I am not sure they would have been fun to read, so I chose to keep my thoughts to myself. However the highlight of the crazy week was a weekend with my middle school kids. There are a few kids missing from this picture because they had to leave early. However I did where one of their jackets in honor of them. I am just impressed that it fit me. Anyway - we climbed walls, did initiatives, did our second annual mattress jumping contest - with a quartet of boys doing a very bad version of the national anthem. We talked about Risk-Taking Faith - Daniel, Rack, Shack, and Benny. It was a great time with the kids, despite the fact that I could hardly talk...yet God gave me a voice when it came time to doing the lesson! Anyway - it was a great weekend! I love my kids and their child like faith, they love to sing, they love to pray, and they love to talk about Jesus - I pray that they don't grow out of that - like so many people!

Impact 2008

I would have to say that I am still trying to recover from my weekend at the Beach with my kids. We had a great time! Our kids were challenged by some great speakers. The worship was great, as were the skit guys! There was also a guy there that painted while we sang, check out the picture below - it is amazing!

My Kids all grown up

This weekend I went to OCMD for Impact with a bunch of my kids and leaders and it was an amazing weekend. I will definately blog more about it later, but today I want to write about my kids....the ones that have grown up and moved on. I think one of my greatest joys as a teacher and a youth director is seeing my kids all grown up and living their lives for Christ, seeking to serve Him with their whole beings. This weekend I three of my four leaders were previous students of mine. And to watch them interact with the kids and share the love of Christ with them was awesome.

In my last blog I wrote about Braedon and Jordan, they were both members of our youth group, they both now serve as leaders here at the church and with Young Life. Braedon will soon be leaving and heading out to do full time missions.

Also on the trip was my girl, Abby. She was one of my students when I taught and coached in Clearfield. She is now all grown up and is serving as an Interim Area Director for Young Life in Dover, DE. It is amazing to see how God is using her and stretching her in her faith.

I guess this is what it feels like to be a parent when your child does something really cool, and you are so proud of them. That is how I feel when I think that God allowed me to a part of the spiritual growth of these "kids" that are now adults.

The Non-Freak Version

Here are my boys - the same ones that appeared in the freak picture previously posted. I just have to say how thankful I am for their leadership and care for the guys in our youth group. I could not do my job without them! Jordan and Braedon - my brothers - you are a blessing to me and to the young men in our youth group! Thanks - I love you guys!

Freaks

So this is what my intern does all day long! No I am not kidding he really does just sit at his desk, play video games, blog which you can check out if you would like braedontabor.theworldrace.org and then sometimes he throws things at me, he complains when I ask him to do little tasks like "will you please hang up these butterflies?" That is Braedon for you, despite his many flaws - I still love him mostly (because Jesus tells me I have to!)

Aunt Jana the Hamster

A couple weekends ago my Mom and sister came to visit along with my sister's two kids Kamryn and Hayes. Kamryn and Hayes are from Potter County so they don't get to experience "city life" much so when they come to visit Aunt Jana they always want to go to the McDonald's playground. Well lucky for me, my sister volunteered me to play with them in the play area...have you been in the play area as an adult...I don't mean looking and watching from the ground - I mean in the play ground - crawling through the small plastic tubes as if I were a hamster or something. Let's just say it didn't help my closterphobia! And when I was done I was so tired I needed a nap for sure! The moral of the story...don't let your sister guilt you into being a hamster for the sake of her children!

Animals of Central Florida

So about my trip....it was very educational...too bad I wasn't still in school or I would have been able to count it as a field trip. Later this week (if Jeanne gets them to me (hint, hint!)) I will have some cool pictures of some of the animals that we saw while in Florida, so until then I will just let you know what I saw!

* Dolphins, red racoons, and lots of birds in Mullet Bay (not kidding about the name)
* Pelicans and fish and herons at Fort DeSoto
* Bees in the Orange Grove
* Turkeys on the side of the road (confused to be pheasants by some in the car)
* Alligators, Bald Eagles, Raccoons, and lots of birds in Kissimmee
* Oh and I can't forget the goats, horses, chickens and Buddy the stay dog that lived on the farm.

It was pretty exciting and if you want to know more about these animals stay tuned to later blogs so I can tell you fun facts about each of the above.