snow & ice oh my!

The BIG question is WILL WE GET THE ICE? I wish I was saying WILL WE GET THE SNOW instead but I guess we moved just a little too far south! I must say I wish just a little bit that we were still in Chicago to witness all of the snow they are calling for. I was a nice(ok, overprotective and worrywart) sister and called Gavin to remind him to take some water and food home. He said he would but I think that was just to please me.
I just sat down and watched the weather for us and one station said we would not be getting anything and I turned it to the next one and it said an inch of ice.  From the looks of this map...we might just be getting lots of rain(booooo)

  Not to worry, we got the generator out just in case(ok, since I am a worrywart!). I called Mandy and the excitement in her voice made me pretty jealous that we aren't up there getting ready to be snowed in for a few days. I think the excitement in my voice in June when I am out of school might make her a little jealous then though!! :) haha
 Tonight is the Bachelor and I CAN"T WAIT, as Nathan would say 'we are turning into Dumb and Dumber at 8pm tonight!' Off to pop some popcorn and settle in for the ice and show!

Gavins bday, a coach and a life lesson

It was an awesome weekend for the Taulman and Railing crew! Friday after school Nathan and I jetted out to head up north and meet my mom and Gavin in Indy for Gavins birthday. We all got dressed up and went to each at St. Elmos Steakhouse. If you have never eaten there it is a MUST! We had a wonderful time, the food was delicious, the company was great and the night was alot of fun. It was a great way to celebrate Gavins birthday!
 On Saturday we got up and went to breakfast at my favorite restaurant in Indy Petite Cho. Nathan, Gavin and I (Mom headed to FL to enjoy some sunshine with some friends) sat for a few hours enjoying each others company, talking about life, future, and jobs- you name it we covered it. It really made me miss living close to Gavin. He has grown up so much and I love watching him and Nathan be such good brothers. It really is a blessing.
 After Gavin left, Nathan and I layed around and watched the Boilers pull out a victory and then a little golf. We were hanging around so we could head to Coach Kendricks basketball game. Its tradition that Nathan and I make it to at least one and this one was seemed perfect since we were in Indy already. It is always so great to see Coach and his family. They really are an awesome family and Nathan and I look up to them so much. Coach is an amazing coach, dad, husband, teacher and role model. To add to it he has an amazing wife that I consider a role-model for me. They are examples of what being a coach is really all about. Nathan and I had a great talk on the way home about the impact a coach can have and I just pray that I too can have an similar impact that Coach had on Nathan to my girls. Although they didn't pull out a victory it is was great to them. Nathan was pretty close to suiting up and giving them a much needed point guard- too bad IHSAA prob. wouldn't like that too much!
 This morning we went to church and listened to a great message about prayer. We are so thankful we have found a church that we look forward to going to again. After church we did some grocery shopping(Nathan will finally go with me now that he doesnt LIVE in a grocery store! haha). Once we got home I did some work and Nathan did some reading. It was a beautiful day outside so it was since to open the blinds and enjoy it! In the middle of the day I got an email from a fellow basketball player of mine from five years ago that asked if we could 'talk'. I was shocked-it was crazy Nathan and I were just talking about that last night. I gave her my number and within a few min. we were talking away. WOW- God sure works in amazing ways. She needed me just as much as I needed her. We talked for a hour or so and I gave her my wisdom but I quickly realized that what I was telling her was what I needed to hear too. I am so thankful for our talk and it was a life lesson for me. Its really not about basketball or volleyball...its about the 'coach, I need to talk' emails five years later that matter.  God is good all the time and all the time God is good.

off to bed...

It is only 8:45 but I am off to bed. Good night all. :)

ps- tomorrow is someone VERY specials birthday....wana guess who??? :)

hanging out with the ipad

Tonight I am hanging out with Nathans ipad and I must say its pretty cool! He is hard at wotk on his exam- he has been working on it since 9 this morning. Once again there is NO WAY I could or even would do that! I am trying to stay out of his way so I borrowed his ipad and keyboard and headed back to the bedroom to hang out and count down the hours till the Boiler game.
It has been a VERY long week. School was very hard yesterday, I thought I would be fine until I saw the news crews in the parking lot of the school and it reminded me of my senior year when a good friend and fellow teammate/classmate was killed in a car accident. This story is much different and its very different being a teacher this time. I found myself saying the same things that the teachers told me when I lost my friend. The students are having a very hard time wrapping their mind around why something like this could have happened. Unfortunately the story was on the national news today and they confirmed that the mother killed all three of the children- its just such a very sad story. The funeral is tomorrow so prayers for our students would be greatly appreciated.
Last night I was pretty much beat after school but managed to stay up and watch the Bachelor! Gosh I love that mindless- silly show. I must say this time that the fashion as been another added bonus!
I am off to enjoy a little more quite time before lots of rowdy, loud, crazy cheers fill the house at the 9 o'clock tip off! BOILER UP!

random

This is going to be a very random post!

lets see- Thursday was a great day at home. Nathan went to work and I got a few things done around here then he came home and we enjoyed our movie night. The movie was the best movie I have ever seen and a wonderful message. After our movie we decided to venture out on a late night walk- I think Hoss was a little confused but it was so beautiful out we couldn't resist. It was almost a full moon glistening off the snow was beautiful.These pics were from earlier in the day...on our first walk!

Hoss lovin the snow!

enjoying the winter wonderland walk!

Yesterday Nathan stayed home with me all day!! Then last night we enjoyed a great dinner at 5 Guys Burgers(my new ALL-TIME favorite burger place) with our friends Heather, Stephen & Cooper. After dinner we ran some errands and then headed back home to try and get warm! It was FREEZING here last night!

When we got home last night I saw this post on facebook... Police Investigating Multiple Deaths In Southern Indiana.  Nathan and I started following the story and its is something terribly un-imaginable. A mother in our town shot and killed her three childern and then herself. I was so sick. Once the names were released I just wanted to cry- they were all students at the school I teach at and the oldest had talked to me the night before about running track for me this spring. She was a great hurdler and couldn't wait to get started. My heart just broke for her and her friends. There are alot of questions about the story but I just cant imagine why a mother would do such a terrible thing. I have a very heavy heart for all of the family and friends. Please say a prayer for our school on Monday.
 After little sleep from that story last night we were up and watching Game Day at Purdue- I couldn't stand to watch the news anymore. Game Day looked like sooo much fun, I was telling Nathan how much I wished we were there!! We had plans to hangout all day and watch LOTS of basketball. However, thats not really what we did. Here is the story in pictures- lets see if you can figure it out!!!

 water in pots on the stove...

 everything is FROZEN outside

a new purchase

 gotta be creative...

 a prayer answered!!!!!!!

Yes- our pipes froze. Not a fun way to spend your Saturday however, the BEST part of the story was that I just kept saying prayers over and over again that God would turn the water back on because I was worried that the 'new purchase' could catch something on fire(notice the VERY SMALL fire extinguisher). We got everything ready to go and went upstairs to take a 'snow bath' before we started it(both of us has kerosene on us!) AND THE WATER TURNED ON!!!!!!!!!! Yep thats right we didn't need all of that after-all. I just started crying. We got it all ready to go but GOD did the work and turned it back on- I am 110% confident in that.
 After today I sure wish this is where we were instead....

Tonight we are going to watch the Boilers take out Sparty and enjoy a glass of water (haha)!! Can't wait!!! Boiler Up!

still snowing...

Well- today we officially used our last built-in snow day. I was really hoping to go at least a half-day today because I know we will be off tomorrow, but the call came in at about 5:30 saying we would be staying home today. It started snowing around 6am and is still coming down strong. I am going to guess we will finish with about 6-8 inches. When we lived up north we couldnt wait to be out in the counrty so we could watch it snow without all of the city sounds and traffic. I must say it was worth the wait. I don't know what it is but there is something so very peaceful about looking out and seeing acres of fields covered in white puffy snow. The trees are so beautiful and the only marks in the snow are the little animals trying to find a place to stay dry and warm. God is so amazing!
 Today I got my work-out in and am getting ready to work on 721. I have some new and exciting things I am working(thanks to my sister-in-law Mandy)- I have two senior models ready to go for this spring!! I must say though I would not have them it were not for Mandy- thanks so much!! I owe you BIG time!
 Tonight Nathan and I have a movie date night! We are going to blow up the air-mattres, pop some pop-corn and watch Facing the Giants. The o-so- sweet janitor at the school gave it to me(she was actually one of my dads class-mates and shared some great stories about him!)
 Speaking of my dad- I sure do miss him today. He not only LOVED the snow but often times tried to find ways just to get stuck in it!! It was always so fun. Last night I had a crazy dream about him- we were at the dentist together! This is the third night in a row that I have had dreams about teeth! The two nights before that I dreamed they were falling out!!! Not sure what thats all about, but last night we were at our dentist together with my grandma & grampa Whelan. Too funny.
 I am going to go enjoy lunch as I was the snow fall. Happy Snowy day!

packin.

Well, the Boilers lost. bummer. real bummer. Despite the loss it was a fun night at the Taulman house. Once I got home from school I decided to get my 'wife' shoes on and get some things done around the house. First up- dinner! Not pizza or a froze meal but something yummy! I decided on pork chops and pasta which was 'perfect' in Nathan's eyes. Just before we sat down to our surprise my cousin stopped by!! Kristofer is a senior in high school and just an all-around outstanding kid. He is planning on either going to Purdue or Florida to major in pharmacy- you can guess where I am rooting for but FL would be a great choice too. After a nice dinner we sat down and watched the Boiler game together(no recruiting done on our part there.haha). He left at half time which allowed Nathan and I to scream, jump up and down(ok that is only me) and tell them how we really feel. Gotta love two crazy Boilers in the same room together!
 After the loss it was time to finish the laundry and clean up the kitchen while Nathan had a conference call for school. I just came back in and this is what I found...

 my wonderful husband hard at work!!

I am sure glad its not me getting my masters!! He is awesome at studying and I sucked at it- I don't think the 4 hour conference calls and the 9 hour tests would have worked so well with me. haha

Tonight I also did a little packing because tomorrow I am heading to see these girls... 

my dear friends from nwi. (Vicky, Bridgette, Hilary)

I AM SO EXCITED! I have missed them so much. Other than Bridgette & I, we all haven't see each-other since October...that is a long time considering we used to see each-other at least twice a week!  We are meeting in Indy and spending the night at my moms(thanks mom!) and then enjoying the day shopping and doing fun girl stuff. I am sure there wont be much talking done that is for sure. ha I can't wait to see them and enjoy some girl time together.

 One last thing- I have a prayer requests that I am going to ask for tonight. (I am trying to get better at asking!). Tomorrow we have a showing on our house and we are REALLY hopefully that it will sell soon, so if you have time please pray that the showing goes well and we have a potential buyer. It would be a huge blessing. thanks!! 

 I am off to get some shut-eye and maybe add a few more new aps to my new iphone- (jessie I just downloaded angry birds...super excited!!!)! Have a great and safe weekend.

book & a surprise by the husband!

Today was another great day at home. I am not really sure why we didn't have school it didnt seem very bad out our way- however, I heard it was worse on the east side of the county.who knows but I will take it. We are set for a two hour delay tomorrow- however for some odd reason they make the teachers be there on time. who knows but I will take it!
 Nathan and I slept in again today as we listened to the wind whistle by. I decided I needed to do something other than 'sit' all day so I got on the elliptical while I watched the morning edition of Sports Center! Another great reason while I love being home. I spent some time after that reading. I haven't done much of that lately and realized how much I missed it. Now that I spend my day in the library instead of the gym(yes it is very different for me!!) I picked up a book that I have been looking to read for a while.

Have you read it? I am almost finished and WOW- what an interesting book. I have had so many thoughts running through my head all day because of this book. One thing I do know is that there are no coincidences with God and it was no coincidences that I just happened to pick this book up on Monday. I have been struggling with prayer, asking for prayers, and believing that prayer really works. It hit me like a truck when I was reading this book. Prayer works.period. I know this I just need to believe it. When I opened my bible at the prayer vigil last week this what I turned to.. But when he asks, he must believe & not doubt, because doubt is like a wave in the sea, blown & tossed in the wind. (james1:9) God really is trying to tell me something!
 After I finished reading I took a nice little nap and woke up to Nathan asking if I wanted to go to shopping...I really thought I was dreaming! Actually I still think I am because this is what I am holding in my hand.....

  I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! I really do have the best husband ever! He totally surprised me and man o man this is awesome.Off to find some cool aps.... night all!

sledding!

Today was a snow day!!! YIPPPEEE Nathan and I slept in and then he went to work and so did I. The best part about my work was that I was able to stay at home, sit in my sweats, listen to music, & do laundry while I was busy working away at my computer! IT WAS AWESOME.
 Once Nathan got home I was getting a little cabin fever and suggested we go sledding. I think he was a little shocked but was happy to join in on the fun. We bundled up and acted like kids in the snow. :) I was wishing we had some little ones to join us in the fun but for now it was just the two of us and we soaked up the time together.
 Here are a few pics from the adventure. 

beautiful morning(this was from Sunday!)

 snow-boarding....

 oh no...

 opps!!! hahahaha

 looks like he was having fun though!

 trying again...

 my hubby!

 my turn...not as brave as him, I choose the sled!

 being a kid!

 having sooo much fun!

 down the hill!!!

 Hoss wasnt enjoying the snow as much as we were!

After our sledding adventure we went for a walk and enjoyed some quite time in the beautiful nature. We are now settled in for a chili and basketball. We will see about school tomorrow..... secretly I hope to stay home again! shhhh.

wonderfully lazy weekend

I love lazy weekends!! They come so far and few between but man when they do we love them! We watched ALOT of basketball and football, took a few naps, ate pizza & diet cherry coke, went to church, watched more basketball, took another nap, did a little blogging, nathan did some homework & I did a little 721 stuff, we took down the tree & did some laundry. Nothing exciting but I loved every second of it. To top it off Nathan has been an awesome husband all weekend and helped do the laundry & put away the dishes. I really am the luckiest wife around!
 Happy Sunday!

humpty dumpty

Today is very much a humpty dumpty day! I woke up thinking it was Friday and then quickly realized it was only Wednesday. We are back in the swing of things between my school, Nathan's school and the carbon monoxide detector going off we have had a full week so far. Monday I felt really weird all day and had a headache so I thought I would come home and take a nap to try and shake it. Well when I got in the car Nathan said he felt the same way. This got us thinking, and we realized that we didn't have a carbon monoxide detector in the house- so after a quick stop to Wal-Mart we plugged the handy dandy thing in and sure enough, in about 5 min. it went off!! Want to talk about saying prayers that we were alive- it was pretty scary. We got it checked out and everything is fine but man o man- if you are reading this and you dont have a carbon monoxide detector(s) in your house STOP and go get one now!!
 Once we de-froze in our 52degree house(we had to keep all of the windows open for a while!) I finished some editing while Nathan worked on school and then we watch....THE BACHELOR!! so dumb. so fun.
 Tuesday we did something that neither of us have ever done before. Our 'new' church Northside was hosting a 7 day 24 hr pray vigil that is the start to a decade of praying from churches all around. They started at mid-night on New Years and will be finished on Friday. Once I heard about it my heart was pulling me to sign-up(this is way out of my comfort zone) but Nathan was supportive and agreed to do it as well.  So last night we went and prayed on our own for an hour- I followed the book that they gave us and Nathan did the prayer walk. WOW. it was amazing. I thought the hour would go by sooo slow but I was amazed, it fly by! It was an experience that I will never forget and I am so thankful that God 'pushed' us to do that! I must say too- I slept better last night that I have in a long time!! :)
  As for today-once 3:30 came I was ready to get out of there. Nathan and I came home and enjoyed a great run with Hoss and then fixed dinner and now we are settling in for the Boiler game tonight!

BOILER UP!

last day at home :(

Today is the last day at home before starting back to school tomorrow. booooooo! I could use another few days to get things done and check off my to-do list. I have been very lucky to have 2 weeks off and for that I am thankful BUT...there could be at least a few more days at home right! :)
  Nathan's alarm didn't go off this morning so we were running late to get ready for church(see a theme on the running late thing!) however, we made it and were so glad we did. It was really good and we both left thanking God for leading us to that church. After church we ran to get some groceries and then home for the rest of the day.
 We got a few more things done around the house and even got a run in!! I must say that is one nice thing about moving a little south- its about 10 degrees warmer here and ALOT sunnier! Today was a beautiful day with blue skys and big puffy clouds, not something you see too often up north in the winter.
 Tonight we are watching the Colts game and I am editing some pictures. I can't seem to stay too focused tonight so that is why I am taking a break to blog. I am sure tomorrow is going to be a full day with getting back to school- I don't think I have gotten up before 8:30(except for Christmas) this entire break! IT HAS BEEN AWESOME!
 time to get back to editing... I have two more families to get done before 8:30 tonight(NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!! haha)

New Years celebrations!

Our new year was so much fun!! Before I tell you too much about it I need to tell you about why we were LATE AGAIN! Nathan and I both decided that we were terrible at going to parties. After watching the Purdue game, I should say the Purdue WIN, we decided we better start getting ready. We were supposed to be there in less than an hour and it was a 30 min. drive to our friends house. To top it off I still needed to make the food AND the game I was supposed to bring. Well as usual we didn't make it AND we left without the food, drinks or game!! Lucky we realized before we got to the end of the road but we still had to go home and get it. At least the two of us could laugh about it and we looked cute(if I do say so myself) so it was ok! haha

We celebrated with some 'new friends' and had a great time. Our 'old friends' Heather & Stephen invited us to join in on their groups celebration. We knew all of them but we had not really spent much time with them so it was fun to get to know them a little better.
 The night started off by enjoyed a few drinks and food along with an 'If' game, played Newlywed style. It was hilarious. I learned that Nathan has the hots for Faith Hill, he thinks I would like to photograph the First Family, he wishes I would do a better job with the laundry(I would agree with him on that one!) and I would like him to remember where he puts things. HAHA
 After the 'pre-party' was over we went to dinner at a really cool restaurant in the Galt House. We were seated on the top floor that revolves around. It was really neat! I went to the restroom and came back and thought everyone had left me because the table that we were at was empty! Opps. It had just rotated around and they were still there just in a different spot. Dinner was very snazzy and to top it off they had a candy bar for desserts! What a great idea.
 After dinner we went back to Heather & Stephens house to ring in the new year! The night was really fun and we were so thankful that they allowed us to join in on their group! Here are a few pics from the phone- the other girls had their cameras so I left mine at home. Once I get those pics I will be sure to post them.

Heather(and baby) & I at dinner!

 the guys. Nathan was showing off his muscles.

Today we slept in :) and then took down the decorations. It is always so bitter sweet. I am so sad it is over and miss all of the lights, decorations and celebrations but am ready for 2011 and all it has in store for us!
Nathan kept talking about wanting to go fishing so I thought why not, my ny resolution is to enjoy each day  so I agreed to go! He was SOOO EXCITED that made it all worth it. We didn't go for long(it was a little chilly) but I had a great time watching him be such a boy. Here is my stud in his sexy outfit. ;)

 i just love his boots/pants in this picture. makes me smile.

so my outfit was pretty cool too!

So far today has bee a great start to 1-1-11!! To top it off I got a text this morning from my good friend college roommate Sara who had a little baby girl this morning at 4 am!! Congrats Sara, Jason & Noah. We are so happy for you- hugs from us!!

Happy 2011

It is so weird typing 2011...seems a little hard to believe but I must say that I am looking forward to 2011 and to see what plans God has in-store for us. Two nights ago Nathan and I sat down and wrote out all of the excitment that filled 2010. WOW! God is sooooo Good. We did so many wonderful fun things. Yes, there was some heartache and tears shed throughout the year but it just makes those great times so much better. Our list lead us to what our New Years resolutions would be for 2011. It took me a while to think of some. I wanted them to be well thoughout and things that I believe would make me a better wife, daughter, sister, friend and follower of Christ.
 Here is my list-
1. Start a prayer journal. I did this a while ago and it made such a difference in my prayer and everyday attitude.  I can't wait to start it again tonight!
2. Stop worrying so much about the future- take more time to just enjoy the present. This is a bad habit of mine- I think about where, what and when way too much. I am going to make a HUGE effort to just enjoy each day.
3. Write AND send 2 'snail mail' letters to every month. Email and text are so much easier but I think letters are just awesome and so personal.
4. Stay off FB 100000 times a day! I waste so much time 'checking status's' that I could be using doing something productive. (I have only checked it twice today!) :)
5. and last but not least- Get Healthy. Not only physically but mentally too. Exercise, healthy diet, positive thoughts,and  prayer I think all of these things will really help!

I am really looking forward to what 2011 will bring but am going to very try to enjoy each day of it. I have be remember that God is in control and knows best.  I wish nothing but happiness to all for 2011!