Taryn Putman

Taryn was not a big fan of my flash

Tiny feet

The cords are from her apnea monitor

Look at that sweet face

How tiny is her 5 pound self

Needing Passy

Look at the little hands

That binky is about as big as her face

Babysitting Jenna

Today's Testimony

Today was an example of a seemingly insignificant way God showed Himself to me. To most it is no surprise that I struggle with trusting God, especially with the plan He has for my life. Because I can't see and He can I have a hard time. I want to have some sort of control over it. Then I look back and see when I was trying to be in control of my life, what a MESS I made.
So every day I use Julia's office (she only comes in once a week, if that much) to change so I can workout. I normally open the door with my key and lay it on her desk and change. Then I have always remembered to pick it back up before I walk out and pull the door shut. Unless you turn that key a certain way, it stays locked, so when I closed it it was locked. I put my stuff down and realized I left those keys laying on her desk. I was not very concerned because at least two of the staff have master keys for times like these. But those staff are all in the deans office. I was not presentable to go in there so I decided to tackle that one after working out. I did not think about it again until after I had showered and was heading back down. My stomach was beginning to grumble and I remembered one of the master key holders was out today. That left only one other that I knew of and she would more than likely be at lunch at this time. I thought how wonderful it would be if Julia did come in today, but dismissed that idea quickly. I could not get to my food without my key unless someone else were eating in there at the same time. So I got to my office and low and behold Julia's door was open. I peeked in and she giggled that I had left my keys in there. She had tried to come upstairs to the gym to give them to me but did not find me. I was so thankful that she was in fact here and I did not have to go on a wild goose chase to find someone with a key to open her office, where my keys were.
God is GOOD
All the time.

Superbowl Party

The Superbowl party has been a tradition of our family since I was in grade school. A tradition Rachel and I could not let die. This would mark Rachel and my Second Annual Superbowl party. I must admit the thing I look most forward to is the people and the 7 Layer Dip. I am not sure you can have a Superbowl party without 7 Layer Dip. Last year I was surprised we had a tiny bit left. This year it was devoured early on. At half-time pizza is purchased, but after the amount of snacks there is never very much pizza eaten.

Our party started out with the placing of the antenna. Cable must be a wonderful thing to have. Tim held our antenna up high, down low, moved it around and found a perfect place with good reception. But where would it be on the floor in front of the hall.

Tim and Mike
Rachel deep in concentration over the game. She got up and screamed and cheered a bit. Much less enthusiasm compared to if the Patriots had made it. SIGH.
Pondering life's mystery, as the game goes on. Much as I try I had a hard time sitting and actually watching the game. Once again if the Patriots were playing I would pay attention. My Rachel was pushing for the Bears, Shaver was pushing for the Colts, I wanted the winner to win.
Aaron watching the game and stretching...maybe?!?!
Tim and Rebekah, this may have been during commercials, that is when the TV had all our attention. I must say once again I was disappointed. Superbowl is supposed to be the time for commercials to shine, if they did shine it was dull and we were blinded.
Nate doing what he does best.
We had to pull out the helmet, due to the occasion. Most laugh at it but always there is one person who wholeheartedly accepts and embraces the helmet. Amy was our winner. I have found it is almost always females who really love the helmet.
Although they did not make it, Rachel and I both represented our Patriots jerseys, which will come back out next season. I gladly welcome the break from football, but realize in my sister's heart basketball will replace it, until March. March through August is a marvelous time in my world.

Julianne outfits

Here is the first outfit that I was able to use my serger for.

The pants and hat are a flannel material.
I found this fabric at our share and swap at church.


The bloomers have ruffles on the booty!
I tried to show the bow and ruffled edge of the back with tissue paper but still did not turn out so well.


The last outfit is still a work in progress due to the fact that I keep forgetting to get more cloth to finish it.

Snow

Here was my answer to prayer. Wednesday as I left work there was a small amount of snow falling. It was enough to get me excited. I headed to Walmart to buy some more cloth, for my sewing frenzy. When Rachel got home and it started sleeting, I made the executive decision to stay home on Thursday. By the time we had to pick Hailey up form work it was snowing. It was swirling behind the cars in front of us, which makes me giddy. We dropped by Cala's work, which is on the way home. She could not get off early, but being from Southern Arkansas, she was intimidated to drive all the way home, so we offered our house to her. She came over after work and we blew up the air mattress for her to sleep on downstairs. I woke up the next morning and was disappointed that the snow was gone and the streets were dry. My face hurt pretty bad anyways so I called in. I obviously was not the only one, I had to leave a message. I sewed almost all day. Rachel and I decided to knock out our weekly shopping trip so we headed out in the early afternoon. We were excited to see this as we traveled.

Rachel had to laugh at me, because only in Arkansas will you take pictures of snow in front of a Walmart, because if you wait to take them once you are done shopping and home, the snow may be gone.
And it did stop by the time we were done.
But later that night it started sleeting. I was happy that I would be able to take yet another day off. After I went to bed the fun began. My sister wisely took pictures of the snow as if came down. I taught her well. I did get up with half-hearted intentions of going to work. I could see the streets were still wet, so the possibility of ice was great. I watched the news and listened to their advice of not going out and just getting back in bed. When I woke up I called in and once again was not the only one. I did actually get to speak to someone, but she asked if I wanted her to email any of my faculty that I would be out but stated that now one was there anyways, so i had her email them just in case.




Once the sun came up our snow was pretty much all gone.