Why I have no social life...

So, I decided to take two 8-week classes at once during this last session. The first 3 weeks overlapped with a third class that I was finishing up. Thankfully, classes end next Friday. I only have to finish my 30 page paper (5 pages left!), one test, and 2 smaller papers. Then I will have a month off!! Hooray! Not to mention, I'll have finished 5 classes with only 10 more to go.

This is how OCD I am about having my homework checklist, unfortunately this list is not coming over they way I made it (color coded by class hah!). Each section is a week worth of assignments. I remember when I wrote this I thought, "oh it won't be too bad, but the end is so far away!" So happy it's here :)

For those of you interested in the workload of an online MBA, here you go:

Class	Assignment	Due Date	Completed?
BUSI 512	DB3 Thread	Sat Oct 24	☐
BUSI 512	1 Reply to DB3	Sat Oct 31	☐
BUSI550	DB Intro	Sat 10/31	☐
BUSI602	DB1Post	Sat 10/31	☐
BUSI550	DB1 Post 7pm	Wed 11/4	☐
BUSI 512	DB4 Thread	Sat Nov 7	☐
BUSI550	DB1 Reply 7pm	Sat 11/7	☐
BUSI602	DB1 Responses (3)	Sat 11/7	☐
BUSI 512	1 Reply to DB4	Sat Nov 14	☐
BUSI 512	Final Exam	Sat Nov 14	☐
BUSI 512	Research Project	Sat Nov 14	☐
BUSI 512	Group Evaluations	Sat Nov 14	☐
BUSI602	DB2 Post	Sat 11/14	☐
BUSI550	DB2 Post 7pm	Wed 11/18	☐
BUSI550	DB2 Reply 7pm	Sat 11/21	☐
BUSI550	Test 1 7pm	Sat 11/21	☐
BUSI602	DB2 Responses (2)	Sat 11/21	☐
BUSI602	Project 1	Sat 11/21	☐
BUSI550	Speech Paper 7pm	Sat 11/28	☐
BUSI602	DB3 Post	Sat 11/28	☐
BUSI550	DB3 Post 7pm	Wed 12/2	☐
BUSI550	DB3 Reply 7pm	Sat 12/5	☐
BUSI602	DB3 Responses (2)	Sat 12/5	☐
BUSI550	Resume 7pm	Sat 12/12	☐
BUSI602	DB4 Post	Sat 12/12	☐
BUSI602	Project 2	Sat 12/12	☐
BUSI550	DB4 Post 7pm	Wed 12/16	☐
BUSI550	DB4 Reply 7pm	Fri 12/18	☐
BUSI550	Test 2 7pm	Fri 12/18	☐
BUSI602	DB4 Responses (2)	Sat 12/18	☐

Plus, I work 40-45 hours a week, so I if I can do it, so can you! It's not easy, you have to learn how to prioritize. BUT, once you get the hang of it, it goes pretty quick.

P.S. Josh starts his Masters in Political Science (yuck!) in January, so we will really be anti-social then!

starting the guest bedroom...

I'm thinking of this set in the guest bedroom. Actually, its already on our guest bed, but we need a second set for the other twin and they were out. So of course I'm second guessing. What do you think? Too weird? Too dark? Just right? Or not?

Don't just read it... reply ;)

ThAnKs!

quick small post

I said I was going to get better at this, but once a month isn't really cutting it huh?

Thanksgiving was awesome with friends.

Black Friday was a busy and early but fun morning!

We hope to be home no later than the 19th sometime and the drive back on the 28th. My boss won't let us stay longer so blame her. We are bringing the kids too!

We've got 2 Christmas parties this week, one for my work, one for Josh's work. Should be fun!

Oh! And after 3 Christmases together, we finally bought our first official (and real) Christmas tree!! We've always had a really small and really fake one that we would decorate. Now, that one is on our kitchen table.

Pics to come soon!

13 days until I'm done with two more classes!

20 days til Christmas!

It's official!

Where has the time gone? Josh's journey....

May 2006 College commissioning: "I'm going to Wichita, Kansas for a year for casual status, then off to Columbus, MS for pilot training."

June 2007, Mississippi pilot training: "I'm training on the T-6 for about 6 months until I find out if I get heavies, helicopters, or fighters. After that, its another 6 months of training until I find out my assigned aircraft."

July 2008, Assignment Night: "I'm going to Dyess AFB, Texas to fly the B-1 Bomber, it's definitely what I wanted!" (I can't believe I don't have a pic of his slide?!)

July 2008, Pilot Training Graduation: "I'm an 'official' USAF pilot, I start B-1 training in March 2009."

November 2009, all check rides complete, "This is my office!"

After all the college years, pilot training, and B-1 training, Josh is no longer a student. He has successfully finished the B-1 program last Friday and will move to his active duty squadron sometime next week. From here he will continue training, but now its training for deployment! Oh boy!!

Congrats JP!! I'm so proud of you and I'm so happy to be a part of the journey. Everyday is a new adventure, can't wait to see where we will be years from now :)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Happy Birthday Ma!

She's 44 years old today.

Its that time of year....

So, I am a little homesick today, no reasons really. I'm just anxious to get home for Christmas but at the same time its stressful to think about.

This flight would be close to ideal, BUT: Josh isn't at his new squadron yet and he doesn't know when he will be able to leave for the holidays. That puts us behind a few weeks in buying tickets. Plus my boss looked at me like I was crazy asking for this much time off, which she still hasn't said yes to, I know it's a lot. And, on top of this expensive flight we will probably have to pay for parking at DFW. And, we have to do all the Christmas shopping for both the families, thats enough stress alone. Spend more on one than the other. Watch out!

Okay, maybe I'm not homesick anymore. lol. But really, it'd be nice for people to come visit us instead of us shelling out all the mulah each year. ;)

lease confirm the details of your itinerary and enter the passenger information below. ClickContinue to purchase to proceed.

1,266.80 USD Total price: 2 passengers 592.50 USD fare 40.90 USD taxes & fees 633.40 USD per passenger Price breakdown Fare rules

Sun, Dec 20, 2009 - Dallas Fort Worth, TX (DFW) to South Bend, IN (SBN)
United 7734 Operated by: United Express/shuttle America	Depart: DFW10:05 AM Arrive: ORD12:22 PM	Non-stop 2h 17m Embraer 170 802 miles traveled	Fare basis code: WA0FN Booking class: W Economy 802 Award miles No Meal Service	Seats:N/A Select seats Explus
<<<>>>
United 7246 Operated by: United Express/mesa Airlines	Depart: ORD3:11 PM Arrive: SBN 4:56 PM	Non-stop 45m Bombardier CRJ-200 84 miles traveled	Fare basis code: WA0FN Booking class: W Economy 84 Award miles No Meal Service	Seats:N/A Select seats

Fri, Jan 01, 2010 - South Bend, IN (SBN) to Dallas Fort Worth, TX (DFW)
United 7321 Operated by: United Express/mesa Airlines	Depart: SBN9:17 AM Arrive: ORD9:06 AM	Non-stop 49m Bombardier CRJ-700 84 miles traveled	Fare basis code: HELHL3FS Booking class: H Economy 84 Award miles No Meal Service	Seats:N/A Select seats Explus
<<<>>>
United 7679 Operated by: United Express/shuttle America	Depart: ORD2:53 PM Arrive: DFW5:19 PM	Non-stop 2h 26m Embraer 170 802 miles traveled	Fare basis code: WEPHL3FS Booking class: W Economy 802 Award miles No Meal Service	Seats:N/A Select seats Explus United holiday fare sale

Penalty
CXL BY FLT TIME OR NOVALUENONREF/CHGFEEPLUSFAREDIF/



Additional information:

I love...

My hubby-I came home to him making a cornhole set, he had most of the day off today.

Our house-its somewhat clean and its still huge. It's really starting to feel like home here.

Our friends-we had a great weekend at a couple birthday parties. Most of Josh's classmates are moving to South Dakota this week. That time flew by!

Newborns-Two of our friends had babies last week. Our neighbor is expected soon. Hurry up Liam, we can't wait to meet you!!

Hello!

Yes, we are still here. I've just been too busy to update everyone, and nothing too exciting has happened. Things I need to write about are long overdue, our trip to Corpus, Dallas/Six Flags, and of course the growing dogs. I've got cute pictures of them that I need to put up! Yea, sorry it's not pictures of real kids, click on almost any of the blogs I follow and you can find some beautiful kids there. We are finding ourselves in the small group of people that is "kidless." We don't mind, but we can't help but notice people looking at us funny when we say we don't have kids. We are comfortable with that for now, just don't expect any pregnancy announcements within the next couple years! (Seriously though). Until then, we've got plenty of cute kids throughout our life group, friends, and neighbors that keep us entertained :)

Just a small update, Josh has been trying to get his precheck flight done. Once his precheck is done, then he takes his check and he's done with the training squadron! He's already made two attempts at his precheck, both times the jet has had maintenance issues so the rides have not counted. His next attempt is next Weds, with his final check being the following Weds. Hopefully he gets a healthy jet! He says he's getting really comfortable with the BONE and he really likes it. I can't get enough of the jet, they are so neat to see flying around the city. I can even see (and the whole city can hear) him taking off from my window at work.

As for me, I just finished my second MBA class; two down, two A's! I had two classes overlap this session so I will finish another one in about 3 weeks. Meanwhile, I am starting 2 more next Monday. Crazy I know, but I figure why not do as much as I can right? I'm still working 8-5:30ish every day so I try to do bits and pieces of my work throughout the week so that I can still make time for JP and football on the weekends. I'm keeping a positive attitude about it though because it's a great opportunity and it's given me something productive to do, I've always loved school!

There is a small update for you. I hope there is a new episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia tonight! That show is hilarious!!

Oh and for all you Michiganders/Hoosiers, it was 60 here today and it was awesome. It made me miss the fall weather back home.

I need to get better at writing smaller posts more frequently instead of these things.

K, I'm done now!

They grow up so fast...

My little niece Gracey will be 4 next week. Crazy! 

This picture my mom took is great! You can't help but smile!

Could it be any better?

College football starts today and we're on the beach with friends this weekend.

And...its September and still 90 out.

Wonderful :)

First Road Trip on the Harley

So Josh sporadically decided to take our first official bike trip to San Angelo this weekend. We left Saturday afternoon and came back on Sunday. It's nice because most of the cities in Texas have an Air Force base near or around it, which translates to $30 hotels, cha-ching!

We were able to catch dinner on the Concho riverwalk (something Abilene doesn't have) which was a nice scenic change. Nothing like San Antonio though, it only had one restaurant and a museum. Then we went to a San Angelo Colts minor league baseball game with fireworks afterwards. Here's us with Casey, the Colts mascot:

Afterwards we went to a country western bar and people watched. These southern folk can dance! We stayed the night at Goodfellow AFB which I guess has intel. AND, they had a predator display so we had to get a picture of that. It's an unmanned aircraft, google it sometime.

The next day we scoped out downtown. It reminded me a lot of Abilene, but with a little more character. 

Here are some pictures from the ride home. It was about a 2 hour drive, not a lot of traffic, and very scenic. Yea, the mountains aren't huge, but hey we're from Indiana these things are nice :)

It was great to get away again. 

Thankfully it was a safe trip :)

Oh and as always, there's more pics on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2032962&id=197402064&l=a06f040e0e

"That's what she said"

It's the title of our newest series in church. It's a series about sex/sexual innuendos. You have to watch at LEAST the first 5-10 minutes, basically the skit. I thought they did a great job. The service itself is pretty awesome too. This is the intro to the series which will last 3 months. We are so blessed to have a great church, our pastor is so gifted! He sounds like he's yelling, but its a big church and he's just passionate :) Enjoy!

http://www.beltway.org/mediafiles/sermons/web/player.php?week=082309

Cowboys game

Football season is getting closer!

So, this previous week we really had an itch to get out of Abilene, but we could not find something inexpensive to do somewhere. Plus, there was nothing really going on worth getting out of town for. BUT, on Tuesday of last week, Josh got an email from the base saying that they were giving away free Cowboys tickets to the first 75 people to sign up. Josh went over to the ITT place and stood in line for about 2 hours, just to put his name on a list, in which he was very close to the end. They guys in line counted out, alright, if they get 75/76 tickets at two a person, then the first 38 people were pretty much guaranteed to get tickets. Well, Josh was about 39 on the list. Thursday was when everyone was supposed to come claim their tickets from 1-3, the tickets would then be given out sequentially to the names on the list. Basically, it was for the first 38 people to come claim their tickets. At 3, if no one claimed the remainder, priority would go to the next highest number on the list. Well, at 3pm, only 1 person did not claim their tickets, and guess who was next? Josh! So, thanks to that one person who didn't feel up to driving 2.5 hours to a game, we were able to get out of Abilene! God always seems to bless us with cool things like this. We had a blast and got a great military discount on a hotel right outside the stadium. Gotta love the perks! Here are some pics. 

This is what it looks like when you walk in, extremely open. It's awesome. Also, the tv stretches from one 20 yard line to the other. It is the largest HDTV in the world. It also got hit by a punt. Pretty fun to watch. Below is the view from the section we were sitting in.

The next day we met up with Josh's friend Robert at the Ft. Worth Stockyards. They went to Purdue together and he's currently living in Ft. Worth. The guy in the middle is from the shoot out we watched. Doesn't he look a little like Bush?

My friend from high school, Sarah, also met up with us. She's working just outside of Dallas now. I hadn't seen her since graduation! It was fun catching up.

There are more pictures of the trip on facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2032712&id=197402064&l=09f728005a

Needless to say, we had a great time getting away. Tomorrow I start my second class, BUSI 604, International Business. I got an A in my last class. As for Josh, he is scheduled for two flights this week, one hoping to be his first night flight. I think he's supposed to be dropping fake dummy bombs too. His flights two weeks ago were cancelled, and last week he pretty much just had off. The dogs are still alive, Tyson is still chewing up everything. It's so frustrating I don't even want to elaborate! But, we are crate training him, and he's just so cute. 

As for our next trips, on Labor Day we are going to Corpus Christi with our friends Ranea and Eric. We plan to stop in San Antonio for the free military passes to Sea World. This is Corpus, hooray for beaches!

Then we hope to go back to Ft. Worth to see Bill Engvall on the 19th at Billy Bobs.

In October we were able to get tickets to the Notre Dame vs Washington game in San Antonio Halloween weekend! Hooray! I'm very excited! And, very thankful that Grandma Marj works at ND and could get us tickets :) It's like a little piece of home, coming to visit us. Thanks Marj! 

They are somehow ranked #23 in the AP poll this year. Talk about Luck of the Irish! Lou Holtz even says they are going to be playing Florida for the BCS Championship game. I love ND, I just don't have much faith in Claussen, maybe if they put in Sharpley it can happen. Ah well, I'm all for it!

I think you're officially caught up now! Thanks for reading!