the windy city with an ecstatic 7-year-old

For my niece Lydia's birthday, mom, Jodi, and I took her up to Chicago on the train to see the sights and (most importantly) visit the American girl doll store.  To say she was on cloud 9 is an understatement!  She couldn't wait to get on the train and asked about every 10 minutes on the drive to the station how long till we'd get there. 


The excitement begins!

I didn't even have to tell her to say "cheese!"



"I can hardly contain my excitement!"

 

"No, mom, I don't need to hold your hand, and I don't need to put my gloves on."

The new addition--Lucy (her look-a-like)!

Eating lunch at the top of the John Handcock building.  Lydia was showing her doll the sites!

"It was just sooo halarious!"

 

Loove the face!

"Now take a picture with just me and her, Jeana."
"Oh, she just looks sooo cute!"



The train, the doll, the bags, and the girl!

 

And that's what she thought about it! lol

We all thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and Lydia kept exclaiming how this was her favorite birthday present ever and she was never ever going to forget it!  She could not wait to show Grandpa, and Uncle Jess, and all her siblings her new doll!  I have a feeling she'll be talking about this for weeks on end!  I love this girl! ;)

Catch up

It's been a while since I've updated this... so, if you're ready for a boring post--read on.  If not, then you better stop! (This is gonna be a 3-yawner, as my BIO 123 professor would say....!)

 

Biggest news in my life--I got another job! It was one of those God moments in my life where I didn't have to wonder what God's will was b/c He plopped it right in my lap at the perfect time.  I'm soo thankful for HIS direction in my life!  Our God is AWESOME! I'm pretty excited about it, but I haven't started yet, so I'll let you know after I do!  I will be going to an elderly gentleman's house a few days a week (mostly weekends) to help take care of him (making meals, cleaning house, laundry, personal hygeine, and so on).  He needs 24 hr care so there are about 5 other aids that help out.  They do really good at scheduling around conflicts so that will be nice! Oh, and I can study at work while making $$!!!  (That's my favoritest part!) ;) 

I will offically be an aunt again w/in the next month (hopefullly!)  Can't wait to see how sweet this one's gonna be!!!

I'm headed out to West Bend, Iowa this weekend for my cousins's (Paula & Betsi's) double wedding.  Should be a nice weekend. :)

My 5th week of college is almost offically finished :D  It's flying by and I hope it continues that way!  It's a little bit more stressful than last semester but I'm sure its not as stressful as next, so I need to remember to NOT complain...as soon as next week is over... ;)

Next Friday I am taking the TEAS test which will help determine if I get into the nursing program or not...maybe that's why my stress level is a little bit above average about now. :S But after that, I will be in the waiting period to hear back if I get in or not.  It's in God's hands, tho, so I'm not gonna worry over it.

That's about it for my boring, yet crazy life...God is good!