*Disclaimer: I'm an emotional student affairs professional as I write this. Take it for what it is worth.
Today, I'm at home sick. I should be resting and recooperating and getting ready to return to work tomorrow. What am I doing instead? Worrying myself sicker about what my friends at UT-Austin are going through.
For those who don't know, read this.
I realize that this is not a catastrophic casualty list and it probably won't stay on the mainstream news for even just a few days, but it is a big deal. It is a big deal because this kind of crap is happening more and more.
Have our responses gotten better since Virginia Tech? Sure. I couldn't be more proud of our university police teams all over the nation for the hard work and gruelingly training they are going through every day.
But what is the answer?!
I remember exactly how I felt the day I got the call from one of my previous RAs that shots were fired at UCA. My heart left my chest that day and joined all of the young men and women at UCA who were having to deal with it. It happened there. It happened at my... MY college!
You see on the news when it happens. Virginia Tech's logo with the black ribbon around it. Then it was Northern Illinois. Then... MY SCHOOL! The University of Central Arkansas! It was too real.
And now, I have friends that work at UT-Austin. And yeah, no one died but the one sad individual who couldn't just take his own life in the privacy of his own home, but had to scare an entire campus (an entire NATION) who are just trying to better themselves. It takes the selfishness of suicide to the next level.
Why do people spread terror on Earth? Why can't we just leave each other alone?
I obviously know the answer. And I know I have my answer. My answer of peace. Thank heavens I serve a God who takes the responsibility of judgment away from me, who protects, and who gives peace to those who seek it.
My heart is in Texas right now. It's bleeding for those who are having to make sense of this act. It's bleeding for those who have to clean up the mess, for those who have to return to school tomorrow, for those parents who have to continue to allow their children to attend school, and for the parents of that poor individual who took his own life in such a selfish manner. They are at the forefront of my prayers.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
I have no original thoughts
Survey!
I stole this from Ashley... who stole it from Kaitlyn... who very likely didn't make it up herself...
1. When is your “engagement” anniversary:
June 11, 2005
2. When is your “marriage” anniversary:
June 24
3. How long have you known your spouse:
8 years
4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged:
Approximately 3 years
5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time?
He was a mentor in State Hall. I lived there. We talked in the lobby.
6. What is your spouse’s full name:
Justin Turner... his mom doesn't believe in middle names... lol j/k
7. Do you have any children:
The most precious one ever!
8. How many – boys/girls:
1 big boy
9. Do you have any house pets:
Probably... but not on purpose LOL There is a cricket that I refuse to squish because I hate that sound and I never see it when Justin is around. Then there is a teeny tiny spider that, while I don't like spiders, he doesn't seem to be harming anyone, he just wants to be left in his corner. The cricket's name is Juanita. The spider's name is Hugh.
10. Do you own a house or rent:
Neither... its complicated.
11. Do you live in the country or town/city:
City
12. What is one of your favorite activities together:
Lately... Scrabble. But we also like the zoo.
13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot:
He has one... Washington DC. I have one... almost anywhere else. LOL
14. When did you first kiss?
I know it was in my dorm room. Maybe a few weeks in? I dunno.
15. What church do you attend?
A cute little Methodist one. They are so nice. And do a lot for the community.
16. Is this the church you were married in:
We went the heathen route and got married in a conference center.
17. What town is your current address at:
The big Arkansas city.. you know...
18. Do you work or stay at home:
Kind of both... but mostly work.
19. Where did you go on your honeymoon:
Cancun
20. What was the funniest gift you gave when dating?
A mechanical singing hamster in a hamster cage. I'll leave you to ponder that.
21. How long have you been together?
8 years.
22. How long did you know each other before you started dating?
About a month.
23. Who asked who out?
I did. He drug his feet. But the story is a whole other blog post. That I may have already done.
24. How old are each of you?
27 and 26
25. Where do each of you go to school?
Neither of us "go to school" any more. But we both did and still do for jobs.
26. Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Honestly... small stuff... like just getting on each other's nerves. We don't really fight about anything big.
27. Did you go to the same school?
Nope
28. Are you from the same home town?
Nope
29. Who is smarter?
Depends on the subject. Math/Communication/Etc. = Me. Computers/History/Etc. = Him. Physical science makes my eyes clothes although he got a lower grade. I'm better at grammar, he's better at content. We're like yin and yang.
30. Who is more sensitive?
Both of us. He would say me. But it depends on the day who is more sensitive.
31. Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Chick fil a?
32. Where is the farthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Honduras
33. Who has the craziest exes?
Well he has one that's pretty bad, and most crazies from my past I didn't actually date... so you decide.
34. Who has the worse temper?
Him actually. Although hit the right button and I could take him. LOL
35. Who does the cooking?
Me.
36. Who is more social?
Me. Which is weird, because I"m the introvert.
37. Who is the neat-freak?
We don't know that term.
38. Who is more stubborn?
Him. No contest.
39. Who hogs the bed?
Him. And he shh's me if I try and remedy the situation.
40. Who wakes up earlier?
Me.
41. Where was your first date?
Started at Dairy Queen. Ended at a park. Shakey's in between.
42. Who had more boyfriends/girlfriends?
Me fo sho.
43. Do you get flowers often?
Not anymore. But I'm not bent out of shape about it. They cost money.
44. How do you spend the holidays?
Opening presents and eating.
45. Who is more jealous?
Neither. We both have a weird spot for jealously, but its pretty much a non issue.
46. How long did it take to get serious?
About a month. I'm either in or I'm out. I don't take much time to test the waters.
47. Who eats more?
He does.
48. Who does the laundry
Me, although he will help if I ask.
49. Who’s better with the computer?
I touch a computer and it breaks. He spends a lot of time trying to keep that from happening.
50. Leave a piece of advice for the other couples.
Treat your spouse better than you would treat yourself. Laziness can make the other person feel very unimportant and the simplest things can really add up. Build each other up and constantly put their needs above your own. If you both do that, you will be forever happy.
I stole this from Ashley... who stole it from Kaitlyn... who very likely didn't make it up herself...
1. When is your “engagement” anniversary:
June 11, 2005
2. When is your “marriage” anniversary:
June 24
3. How long have you known your spouse:
8 years
4. How long did you date/court before you were engaged:
Approximately 3 years
5. Where did you meet your spouse for the first time?
He was a mentor in State Hall. I lived there. We talked in the lobby.
6. What is your spouse’s full name:
Justin Turner... his mom doesn't believe in middle names... lol j/k
7. Do you have any children:
The most precious one ever!
8. How many – boys/girls:
1 big boy
9. Do you have any house pets:
Probably... but not on purpose LOL There is a cricket that I refuse to squish because I hate that sound and I never see it when Justin is around. Then there is a teeny tiny spider that, while I don't like spiders, he doesn't seem to be harming anyone, he just wants to be left in his corner. The cricket's name is Juanita. The spider's name is Hugh.
10. Do you own a house or rent:
Neither... its complicated.
11. Do you live in the country or town/city:
City
12. What is one of your favorite activities together:
Lately... Scrabble. But we also like the zoo.
13. Do you have a favorite vacation spot:
He has one... Washington DC. I have one... almost anywhere else. LOL
14. When did you first kiss?
I know it was in my dorm room. Maybe a few weeks in? I dunno.
15. What church do you attend?
A cute little Methodist one. They are so nice. And do a lot for the community.
16. Is this the church you were married in:
We went the heathen route and got married in a conference center.
17. What town is your current address at:
The big Arkansas city.. you know...
18. Do you work or stay at home:
Kind of both... but mostly work.
19. Where did you go on your honeymoon:
Cancun
20. What was the funniest gift you gave when dating?
A mechanical singing hamster in a hamster cage. I'll leave you to ponder that.
21. How long have you been together?
8 years.
22. How long did you know each other before you started dating?
About a month.
23. Who asked who out?
I did. He drug his feet. But the story is a whole other blog post. That I may have already done.
24. How old are each of you?
27 and 26
25. Where do each of you go to school?
Neither of us "go to school" any more. But we both did and still do for jobs.
26. Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Honestly... small stuff... like just getting on each other's nerves. We don't really fight about anything big.
27. Did you go to the same school?
Nope
28. Are you from the same home town?
Nope
29. Who is smarter?
Depends on the subject. Math/Communication/Etc. = Me. Computers/History/Etc. = Him. Physical science makes my eyes clothes although he got a lower grade. I'm better at grammar, he's better at content. We're like yin and yang.
30. Who is more sensitive?
Both of us. He would say me. But it depends on the day who is more sensitive.
31. Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Chick fil a?
32. Where is the farthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Honduras
33. Who has the craziest exes?
Well he has one that's pretty bad, and most crazies from my past I didn't actually date... so you decide.
34. Who has the worse temper?
Him actually. Although hit the right button and I could take him. LOL
35. Who does the cooking?
Me.
36. Who is more social?
Me. Which is weird, because I"m the introvert.
37. Who is the neat-freak?
We don't know that term.
38. Who is more stubborn?
Him. No contest.
39. Who hogs the bed?
Him. And he shh's me if I try and remedy the situation.
40. Who wakes up earlier?
Me.
41. Where was your first date?
Started at Dairy Queen. Ended at a park. Shakey's in between.
42. Who had more boyfriends/girlfriends?
Me fo sho.
43. Do you get flowers often?
Not anymore. But I'm not bent out of shape about it. They cost money.
44. How do you spend the holidays?
Opening presents and eating.
45. Who is more jealous?
Neither. We both have a weird spot for jealously, but its pretty much a non issue.
46. How long did it take to get serious?
About a month. I'm either in or I'm out. I don't take much time to test the waters.
47. Who eats more?
He does.
48. Who does the laundry
Me, although he will help if I ask.
49. Who’s better with the computer?
I touch a computer and it breaks. He spends a lot of time trying to keep that from happening.
50. Leave a piece of advice for the other couples.
Treat your spouse better than you would treat yourself. Laziness can make the other person feel very unimportant and the simplest things can really add up. Build each other up and constantly put their needs above your own. If you both do that, you will be forever happy.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
The Zoo
This is Sam approximately 15 minutes into the zoo.
So Momma and Daddy entertained themselves.
Sam then woke up and got to try cotton candy for the first time.
He ended up liking it, with a mixture of uncertainty.
Trip to Alma in Pictures (and Video)
He's a stud.
This is his lunch of spinach and potatoes. You be the judge if he likes it or not.
Aren't they cute? Aunt B, Sam, and G (who had eaten a marker earlier, hence the joker like smile on his face).
G thought Sam was his. He kept saying, "Mine."
Aunt B had her work cut out for her. G is determined.
See. Friends.
Meet Meatloaf. He's the life of the party.
Me and R's like peas and carrots.
And R finally claimed Sam as her cousin (and someone that exists) and helped feed him his lunch.
Just for some flavor, this is what one of our nights looked like. A kid being entertained by an adult babbling, dad watching tv, my sister petting a bulldog she found on the side of the road, R and G getting into things and me documenting it all. It was a good night.
Brag About Sam
Sam has been doing some really cute things lately and I really need to document them.
1) Preferences on songs sung to him...
We were on our way home from Alma this past weekend and Sam was super tired of being in the carseat so he began to cry. Justin started singing "Old Macdonald" and he quit crying. SUPER CUTE.
About 15 minutes after Justin stopped singing, Sam started to cry again. I then tried to sing him "This Old Man Came Rolling Home". Nope... Justin started singing "Old Macdonald"... he was fine. What a stinker!
2) The little Johnny Jumper...
The kid loves to jump. If I could pick a career for him right now, it would be track and field, long jump and high jump (except the chubby kids rarely get to do those so I may be a bit off). The kid gets extreme joy from jumping in the doorway. And I do mean EXTREME joy! You know this if you have ever held him and he starts jumping in your lap. That's 24 lbs of solid boy jumping up and down in your lap. It's tiring.
And yet it makes him laugh, grin like an idiot, and squeel like a banshee! Love it!
3) He's a little feeler...
At daycare, there are two little girls who can cry up a storm. One day I went to pick him up, he was in the jumper, and one of the little girls was having a mad, screaming fit. He looked at her with concern in his eyes, then looked up at me and made the saddest little "pucker" face and started bawling himself. I had to pick him up and take him away from her for a minute to get him calmed down.
This morning when I dropped him off, the other little girl gets upset when her mom leaves. She doesn't really scream or anything, but she cries for about an hour after her mom leaves. I was holding Sam, he looks over at her, then looks up at Susan and makes that "pucker" face like he is about to cry. I distracted him, but he kept looking over at her, as if to check on her, and when he saw her still crying, he'd make the "pucker" face all over again.
He's so sweet. I love that kid so much!
1) Preferences on songs sung to him...
We were on our way home from Alma this past weekend and Sam was super tired of being in the carseat so he began to cry. Justin started singing "Old Macdonald" and he quit crying. SUPER CUTE.
About 15 minutes after Justin stopped singing, Sam started to cry again. I then tried to sing him "This Old Man Came Rolling Home". Nope... Justin started singing "Old Macdonald"... he was fine. What a stinker!
2) The little Johnny Jumper...
The kid loves to jump. If I could pick a career for him right now, it would be track and field, long jump and high jump (except the chubby kids rarely get to do those so I may be a bit off). The kid gets extreme joy from jumping in the doorway. And I do mean EXTREME joy! You know this if you have ever held him and he starts jumping in your lap. That's 24 lbs of solid boy jumping up and down in your lap. It's tiring.
And yet it makes him laugh, grin like an idiot, and squeel like a banshee! Love it!
3) He's a little feeler...
At daycare, there are two little girls who can cry up a storm. One day I went to pick him up, he was in the jumper, and one of the little girls was having a mad, screaming fit. He looked at her with concern in his eyes, then looked up at me and made the saddest little "pucker" face and started bawling himself. I had to pick him up and take him away from her for a minute to get him calmed down.
This morning when I dropped him off, the other little girl gets upset when her mom leaves. She doesn't really scream or anything, but she cries for about an hour after her mom leaves. I was holding Sam, he looks over at her, then looks up at Susan and makes that "pucker" face like he is about to cry. I distracted him, but he kept looking over at her, as if to check on her, and when he saw her still crying, he'd make the "pucker" face all over again.
He's so sweet. I love that kid so much!
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