Where have YOU BEEN??

In case you haven't noticed, this blog is being "phased out" to make room for the new one!

It's a more grown up one about us and becoming married!

So, join this one now since this one is being left in the single life ;)

(read: if you like following this writing, you're gonna be missing out because the new one is where I/we will be writing!)

So join that one. Now. (Pretty please. It makes us feel cool to have followers!)

alwaysandforeverafamily.blogspot.com

See you there :)

Oh, Wow, November!

We're engaged! WOW!

November is a great month!

I'll tell the story later! Right now we're just enjoying the newness of it all :)

I just realized...

...that I am going to be an aunt AGAIN!

To another precious little boy!

Okay, so I didn't just realize it.

But it hit me big today when I realized that now since its September, little guy will be here NEXT MONTH!

Twice the snuggles,

Twice the giggles,

Twice the loving,

and...of course...

Twice the number of diapers to change!

Haha just kidding. I'm not worried about that one.

I'm just so excited and so ready for Emmett to be here and to see Landon and him interact!

Oh, the joys of life!

On this first day of September...

It's September already. I just had to sit back and take that in. Wow.

Meaning goodbye summer, hello fall!

Or, like in my house....

Hello, football season!!

Yes, I will be watching college gameday on Saturday. You better believe it!

(And the fact that I'm going to be with the boyfriend has nada to do with that, right?)

Anyways, since its a new month, let me tell you some new things...

Given all the changes that fall always seems to bring, I am going to attempt Sunday Snapshots, and maybe if we're lucky, some Black & White Wednesdays too!

(Click here for the explanation!)

But be patient, in case it turns into a "Monday Snapshot" or whatever...

I'm a busy girl!

So, happy fall, y'all!

The Things You May Want To Know....

Ok, so if you want an update, read on.

A lot has changed this summer.

Type A personality Amy thinks better in lists, so I'll list the changes.

1. I'm changing schools, from SIUE to SWIC.

2. I'm changing majors, from Elem Ed to Nursing (my real passion).

3. I'm moving home. (Closer to SWIC and cheaper).

4. I'm getting a second nanny job since all but one of my classes are online. (But I am keeping the one in Eville, just changing days).

What this means for me:
- Less expensive school.
- But more difficult school.
- A degree in a field I'll love.
- More time with my family.
- More specifically, more time around my nephews!
- The same # of semesters left.
- Adjusting to living at home again.

What this means for you:
- You gotta come visit me! ;-)

If you have questions or whatever, you probably have my number.

God is good.

Positives and Negatives.

So, today was a long, stressful day for me.

I'm still battling whatever bug this is; (Parents think mono, but who knows?)

And I spent all day with my dad running various errands around the city.

By about 4pm, I was just totally done with everything.

I was exhausted, and feeling awful.

But for every negative, there is a positive.

Like when I got home and this sweet face was waiting at the door saying, "Hi May-mee!"

Like a dinner with the whole family.

And like seeing pictures of this little one and feeling him kick at me through his mommy's tummy.

Emmett Lee Dunham
Due October 2011

For every negative, there's a positive.

Changes...

I can't really articulate now, but changes are coming.

And they're coming fast.

Stay tuned, friends!

Post China Funk.

I knew I'd feel it, but I thought it would come sooner.

The post-China emotional letdown.

I'm for sure feeling it today.

Its 9:15am and I have already been to the bank, the grocery store, and have done a load of laundry.

If you know me, you know I'm NOT a morning person, especially on my days off.

I guess getting up before 8am is what happens when you're so tired that you go to bed at 8pm the night before.

I still am exhausted but I can't sleep.

I knew I was feeling this whole "emotional letdown" thing for sure at the grocery store when I picked "Ni-Hao Kai-Lan" fruit snacks for the kids over the seemingly more obvious Disney Princess choice.

Or when I realized I wanted rice for lunch.

Or when I walked past the produce section, saw green beans sitting next to an eggplant, and all at once in my mind I was back in the Dumpling House in Chen Zhou, trying that combination of foods for the first time.

Or when I decided I wanted to eat my breakfast with chopsticks.

Or when I re-read this post and realize I sound like a crazy person!

"Who can say if I've been changed for the better,
but because I knew you.
I have been changed,
For Good..."

(Thanks, Wicked, for the lyrical inspiration to my mood!)