Give Them Strength

Yesterday was a very sad day. I spent most of my evening glued to my computer as a terrible story was unveiled. 


A sophomore at Marinette High School (A school in Wisconsin - just minutes away from my parent's house) held his classroom at gunpoint yesterday afternoon, 23 students and 1 teacher. After a 5 hour standoff 5 students were released and then minutes later the situation ended quickly when the gunman decided to take his own life. At that point a Rescue Crew quickly got into the room and brought the rest of the hostages out and to their families. 


As far as we know the only injured person was the gunman. It hasn't been announced yet but from what my dad heard on the scanner, the 15-year old gunman passed away last night and his body was sent to Green Bay for an autopsy. 


The school has been closed down for at least today.


You can find more information at http://www.fox11online.com/dpp/news/local/north_counties/hostage-situation-at-marinette-high-school.


Please pray for all of those affected by this tragedy. Give them the strength to get through this!


Pray especially for those who witnessed the end of this young boy's life. 

Wedding Videos!!

My cousin Kelly put together two super fun videos from our wedding!!


CHECK THEM OUT!!


This one is a 10-minute video of different parts of our wedding.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzmly9KCwUM


This is a quick little "extras" video which includes a lot of shots of my little cousin Logan! He is such a cutie!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJzKxCUF-Og


Let me know what you think! :)

Preparation

We are preparing to make our big move to South Dakota, with only 18 days until we leave, things are getting pretty hectic. 
Both Ben and I got SLAMMED with extra homework today. Assignments that were not expected and will take more time then we'd like but life is good.

• We leave for GR tomorrow.
• We get to meet baby Erin on Wednesday and see Lauren, Eric and Addison!
• We received a phone call yesterday saying we got the apartment we wanted. 
• We've made some serious progress on cleaning and packing up the apartment. 
• Tomorrow is Ben's last day of work and I've only got one more shift at work. 
• Today was my last day of undergraduate classes, ever.... 
• I'll have all of my CA paperwork done for the semester tonight!

(One of these days I'll get my computer fixed so I can put up pictures on this blog again... on a day where I have a free moment... There are so many I would like to share)

Happiness. Pure Happiness.

Today has been so wonderful and I've been in the BEST mood. 


It didn't start out that way. Both Ben and I were not feeling very well this morning.  Ben missed a class and I thought I might have to too. 


But things turned quickly. 


I had my last Integration of the Arts class. The day was filled with music; singing and playing various instruments. It was very relaxing and I really enjoyed the company of my classmates. 


Then shortly after I got home I found out that Lauren was in the hospital and in labor!! 


I ran some errands and got  some supplies to make some more Christmas gifts. 


Then I had a wonderful meeting with my boss where I found out my survey results. 72/73 tenants took a survey where they answered questions about me and the area that they live in. My results are even better than last semester and I couldn't be happier!! I reached all my CA goals this year. 


My happiness caught on to others throughout the day. I was told by the mailman that I should be NMU's student of the week (because of a small favor I did for an old tenant) and a random student told me that it is amazing how happy I always am! This made my day and made me even happier! I noticed people are super friendly when I'm in a SUPER happy mood. 


I got home from work and shortly after I got the phone call I had been waiting for from Eric saying baby Erin was born at 5:45pm this evening. She is a beautiful, dark haired, 6lb 15oz, 19in, perfect baby girl. A few pictures have already been uploaded online and it is amazing to see how much Erin looks like her big sister, Addison! 

These pictures are so beautiful!! 

The evening continued with a Christmas Bake-A-Thon with a few good friends. I made smores' bars and started candy cane spiral sugar cookies. On the agenda for tomorrow, more sugar cookies! 


Now I'm watching Grey's Anatomy and about to work on Christmas gifts. 

LIFE IS SO GOOD AND GOD IS SO GREAT!! 

Travel Update

I just talked to Ben. He went through quite a bit of bad weather including snow, snow/rain, and rain. He is almost into Michigan so he'll be home soon!

A Hunting We Will Go

Ben and Rich (one of our groomsman) have traveled out to Sioux Falls to look at apartments. 


Here was the original plan:
Thursday Ben drove to Rich's apartment in Minnesota.
Friday they spent the day looking at apartments and getting to know the town a bit.
Saturday, they were going to look at a few more places and Ben was going work on getting a job. Then they were driving back to MN to spend the night.
Sunday, Ben comes home.


BUT.. I am an IDIOT! I have a HUGE test tomorrow that will determine if I will get my teaching certificate. I need to show my license.. but I gave it to Ben along with our credit card in case he needed it for the application process.


So less than an hour ago I realized this and now Ben and Rich are on their way home right now so that I will have my license in time. 


This was such a silly move on part. The exam costs $75 and I have to take it here so I'd have to drive the 13 hours to get back here for a test that lasts about an hour. I'm thankful that things seem to be working out but I feel so terrible that Ben's weekend of SD stuff and hanging out with Rich is cut short.


BUT..
Ben made some serious progress on the apartment hunt. It looks like they have narrowed it down to house-type apartment that has 5 apartments in it. Ben wasn't able to get any pictures (he was going to do that tomorrow, Saturday, but now he can't) but he seems to be in love with it so I'm sure I will be too! 


Ben said they saw some pretty sketchy apartments today and some great ones that were just a tad bit expensive for our budget. Ben is going to create a sketch of the layout and I'll be sure to put it up when I get it. :) 


Pray for safe travels for Ben and Rich (they might run into a snowstorm in MN)!

Thankful Thursday

I've had a bit of a rough week but there is truly so much to be thankful for this week. 


I'm thankful...

• that Meghan's full body scan came back showing no other signs of cancer.
• we did have some extra money saved away in case of emergencies and we were able to pay the large amount of money to get our car fixed. 
• for the beautiful weather we've been experiencing! Mid 50s all week!
• that Ben gets to spend the weekend with his best friend looking at apartments in Sioux Falls. 
• to be catching up on homework.
• for a friend who always knows the right thing to say.
• for Thanksgiving break that begins in 12 days!!

Here's to a productive weekend filled with packing, homework, working, taking my final education exam, and cleaning!  Oh and watching Grey's Anatomy Season 4! :)

Prayer Requests

I have two special prayer requests.


Meghan, is our best friend's "little" sister. Lauren (a bridesmaid at our wedding and her husband, Eric, was our best man). Three years ago she battled osteosarcoma and won the fight. Last week a mass was discovered in her lung and it was removed on Friday. The results of the biopsy came in today and it was osteosarcoma. Meghan and Lauren's mom began a blog back when Meghan was diagnosed the first time and I encourage you to read it. Right now things are looking up and pending the results of a full body scan it looks like the cancer was isolated and Meghan will not have to go through chemo treatments. 


Meghan and her family are very special to us and I know many of you met them at our wedding and would like to be aware of what is happening to our good friends.


You can find the blog here. (click on the colored word)

(I snagged this picture from Lauren's Facebook)

My sister-in-law Eryn also could use a few prayers. She has been sick for awhile (strep throat) and is also encountering some challenges at work. Please keep her in your prayers too.