I'm not going anywhere!

Many more trips to church in oversized clothing to come! N terminated her rights today. We still have a wait with the birthfather, but our level of anxiety is much lower with that and we're grateful for each and every step that gets us closer to our forever family.

Court

Tomorrow is a big day for us. Colt's birthmother, N is going to court to appear before the judge and permanently relinquish her parental rights.

We have a lot of thoughts and prayers on our hearts for tomorrow for so many things. Hopefully by this time tomorrow night John and I will be breathing a sweet sigh of relief that we're one step closer to Colt being ours forever. There will still be a wait for the birthfather but we're not too worried about that.

I took Colt to our agency's offices today to visit, and I brought a gift for N. It was a photo album full of photos (since we take a picture of every outfit it's easy to fill an album in two weeks!). There was also room for more photos that we send her as he grows. I also got her a bracelet with a heart charm and his full name engraved on it.

A heart because:
"The heart is a symbol of God's love, humanity, and charity. The heart is also considered to be the source of understanding, love, courage, devotion, sorrow, and joy."

So please keep us in your prayers tomorrow. Around 2:15 she should be appearing in court, and I can't imagine how hard it is for her, and how wonderful it will be for us.

More family visits

So almost everyone in the family has spread the love with Colt...here are the most recent family portraits!

Merry Christmas from John, Jessica, Colt and Faith!

We hope this day brings as much joy to you as it has to us.

Our new favorite pastime!

Colt is no longer under those obnoxious lights! Doctor says he's doing much better, and I can tell. Colt is more alert, eating more, sleeping less, and even more fun. Lots of fun faces and such.

We officially went stir crazy so we have been running around. Despite the cold, nasty weather we've needed to be out and about and it's been nice. When we're not running around town visiting the doctor, family, and friends, we're sleeping. Naps come most often when Colt is cuddled on our chests.

So forgive my lack of posting. Days and nights are blurring together and I can't believe a week has already gone by! More updates soon!!!

Poor Baby

In case you couldn't tell from previous pictures, Colt has jaundice. But luckily, rather than admit him to the hospital they brought a phototherapy machine to the house! So the centerpiece on our coffee table is now a tanning bed!

It's not been bad, except he hasn't slept in a while so he's active and wild in there, meaning not as much light can be on his skin...we have to protect his eyes. Hopefully it won't take long to make him better!

Family Visits

Forgot to get one of Uncle Matt holding him...but hopefully we'll get that tonight when they come back and bring the cousins by!

Colt is a little socialite already!

Posted by John: Introduction

Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are proud to introduce to you Colton Thomas Anderson.
He was born on December 16th, 2008 at 1:06 P.M. He weighed 9 lbs. 7 oz and was 22 inches long. He has a full head of hair and at this time is receiving a full belly of formula! Birthmother and baby are fine. Possible discharge (from the hospital, not the other discharge!) tomorrow. We will keep you updated!

We're having a baby today!

We're having a baby today!

The roads are pretty bad, but not terrible. We're waiting until around 3:00 (2 1/2 hours from now) to head out with T, our caseworker. Then it's a 2-hour (maybe more with the ice) drive to the hospital. Where likely Colt will be waiting on us!

N was dilated to a 6, had an epidural, and the doctor was coming in to break her water when we last talked to her. That's right...I got to talk to her on the phone. She sounds so nice. She even told me "oh, you sound so sweet"! She wants us to call on our way so she knows when to expect us, and she told us to drive safely. She also checked to make sure I knew how to get to the hospital!

Her dad, sister, grandma and three best friends are there with her.

We're having a baby today. I'll keep you posted as much as I can! Ongoing status updates will be on Facebook, so feel free to follow me there. Either Liz or I will update here as soon as we know more.

Pray for safe travels, safe delivery, and ease and comfort for N. We're having a baby!!!!

Dear Zachary

Yesterday was a banner day to stay curled up in bed, which I did. And after watching some real life mystery show on MSNBC this documentary started called Dear Zachary. And I was immediately entranced in the premise. It started out as a film about how one person's life can affect so many people. About how one average, everyday person can leave an impression and touch other lives in a profound way. About how much one person can be missed by so many when they're gone.

It started out as memories of a man named Andrew Bagby. And it was sweet and profound. Even the filmmaker, Andrew's childhood best friend, admitted that he started making the movie to preserve memories of Andrew before they were gone. He was an only child, people's stories would be precious to his parents.

But as he began his journey around the world to talk to pretty much everybody who ever knew Andrew it quickly turned into a different story. It became a movie about a father...Andrew had been murdered by a crazy woman who turned out to be pregnant with his child. So it was even more important to make the film so one day his son would know more about the father that had been selfishly taken from him.

It doesn't stop turning and twisting into more. By the end I was in shock, awe, and tears. I can't shake the story. I think everyone should watch it. It was that powerful and amazing to me. I had not heard of the story before seeing the film, so I didn't know the horrific twist it would take. Which made it that much more effective. The end is absolutely horrifying. And it's all TRUE.

If you get the chance to catch Dear Zachary on MSNBC sometime, do yourself a favor and watch it. You'll hurt for those left behind, cry out at the way the law often fails to protect, and wonder how one family can suffer so much incredible pain. At the same time, you'll walk away wishing that you have even a fraction of the effect on your friends and family that Andrew had on his.

Really, I can't stop thinking about it. It's really, really good. Just watching the trailer gives me chillbumps and brings tears to my eyes. Just watch it.

New Computer

So I'm typing this blog on our new computer. It has Windows Vista, so there is A LOT to learn. So far, the coolest things about it are the built-in webcam, fingerprint scanner, and the fact that I can automatically pull up a window for this blog without logging in through the internet. I don't know how to explain it, but we'll see if it works!

I want to openly admit it now: I'm addicted to blogging and Facebook. And I've been more away from it than usual, but not really too far away. I'm an addict....Cary, did you hear me? This is my "blog binge" confession.

Anyway, not too much going on except WAITING! Lots of waiting and I really thought Colt would come last night, with the fullest and brightest moon of the year. But he obviously has other ideas. I'm pretty sure he must be related to the Bladcox clan with his tendency to arrive late...he obviously isn't getting that from me and John who are always annoyingly early.

Anyway...we wait. And I keep reading embarrassing journal entries from my middle school and high school year (thanks, Courtney, for bringing that up) so maybe I'll feel like posting some of them here. Or not. They may just be too ghey for public record.

Update

Well, I mentioned that I'd be back with good news. And while on the surface the update I got yesterday is not good news....there is still good news to be found.

Our birthmother, N had a doctor appointment yesterday. She's made no progress and the doctor is refusing to set an induction date. She's very frustrated, tired, and upset. John and I are equally frustrated and upset. It's a bad deal, everyone is ready for Colt to make his grand entrance, like, yesterday.

Also, there are major ice storms predicted to hit Sunday night through Wednesday of next week. Which means we'll likely either be driving through them to get to the hospital or to get home. And if it shuts down the city and county court systems it puts us at legal risk longer than we'd hoped.

But, hey, who likes a person with a "glass half full" kind of attitude. Well, besides me of course! Here are the positives that came out of that update:

-Colt is still very healthy and growing
-N is still healthy, even though she's uncomfortable
-The doctor still thinks he can be delivered without a C-section
-N is still confident in her decision to make an adoption plan
-I get to work a few more days to add a few more days to my maternity leave in February
-More nights to sleep a full 8+ hours

So, see, I can handle it.

But, really...I want Colt to be here. I want to see him and kiss him and snuggle. I'm ready to know he's safe and healthy. So...prayers for patience but also a speedy delivery are much appreciated!

Totally separate re-entry into Blogworld and it doesn't really count because I'm not really back.

Dear Emily,

Please join Facebook. Just do it. It's time. I'm not asking for Twitter just yet. Just Facebook. I bet there are others who would join me in my plea.

Love,
Jess

P.S. - Liz, you're next.
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Thank goodness I erased all episodes of "Pushing Daisies" that I had on my DVR last season. Also that I stopped watching "Dirty, Sexy Money" because I didn't have the time. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing one of your shows get canceled. I'm still recovering from "My So-Called Life" 13 years ago.
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Reunited with my childhood friend Courtney via Facebook last night. Spent this morning reading her hilarious blog. She then wrote about some of our good times over the last 22 years. OMG...always good to have friends who knew you back when...we got into a lot of trouble together. Which I recounted in my journals from the turbulent middle school years that I never shared here, but Courtney doesn't mind sharing and it made me cry I laughed so hard.

I remember Courtney for many things over the years in youth group and Girl Scouts. One of the best things I remember about her was her Barbie dream house. It was three stories and had a pink elevator in it. I used to LOVE that thing! Did you ever have toy envy with your friends?

She's straight up funny, and apparently knows everything there is to know about water. Just trust me.
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I've laughed a lot today. Not the least of which is because of the conversation posed between Angelina Jolie and JLo at my new favorite website.
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I left my cell phone in the car after lunch today and it was a touch decision about whether to go get it or not. Ultimately the cold won out and I've not gone to get it (parked very far away). It has been liberating spending and entire afternoon not staring at it and willing it to ring.
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I couldn't sleep last night. That doesn't happen to me very often, and usually when I have the rare instance of insomnia I just watch TV until I drift to sleep. But I was REALLY not tired, so I got up and wrapped all my Christmas presents last night! Finally fell asleep around 4 a.m. this morning but the wrapped beauties under my Christmas tree and the check on the to-do list make it all worth it.
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Penn Square Mall two days in a row. Because apparently I did something really bad and I'm asking for punishment.
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The end, lovelies. Hope to have good news for you soon!

Out

It has to be stress causing the headaches. I'm completely stressed out and feeling another one developing.

I will be out of Blogland for a little while. Long story short it's making me crazy with doubts and freak-outs are following. I love that everyone loves us and is excited to know what's going on, but it's making me irrational and downright obsessive. And stressed. And while I may be one or another at times, I'm never all of them at once.

I need to have a calming, relaxing last week with my husband and not worry anymore about how things are out of my control.

I will update here as soon as we have news on the baby. In the meantime, I'll try to work on a good post about how annoying Nicole Kidman is to me. That's what you are all here for, I know.

I am not on narcotics. clearly.

Know what's awesome? A Sunday morning trip to the ER! What's even more awesome? Being treated like a narcotic-seeker.

I'm not sure what triggers these occasional migraines. John's best guess is that it's stress because they really started increasing in frequency and severity in January of this year. Only three times have I been so bad off that I end up seeking the care of a doctor. Usually I can medicate and sleep it off.

But Saturday I woke up with a feeling. Just knowing I was going to get a headache. But I second-guessed myself thinking some food would take care of it. By 4:00 it was a full-blown migraine. By halftime of the OU game (Boomer Sooner! I totally called it!) I was throwing up because of the pain. By Sunday morning I couldn't take it anymore...either have a headache or be nauseous...I can't take both.

So John took me to the local hospital that advertises seeing you in 25 minutes or less. Sure enough, they got me in in less than 5 minutes. Saw a doctor pretty quickly but it took almost an hour for the nurse to come give me a shot. AN HOUR. Let's examine this: the pain and nausea are bad enough that I've dragged my husband out of bed on a Sunday morning, I'm in a ballcap and wearing NO MAKEUP...an extra hour may, in fact, kill me. For real.

Did I mention NO MAKEUP? No shower, and a ballcap. It's serious.

The doctor was very clear he was not giving me a narcotic. Very clear. Like, repeated it 10 times in the three minutes he was with me. I wanted to say "ok, it's not like I'm Heather Locklear here please just give me something...anything. Narcotic or not."

Eventually I got a shot of anti-nausea meds and a shot of something else (NON-NARCOTIC) and by then I was feeling better anyway. Kind of a waste of a day and a $100 co-pay. I felt well enough by that afternoon to eat (because I threw up everything I'd ever eaten), get a Sam's Club card, shop at Sam's (and kind of wig out because shopping at Sam's while still on sleepy meds...wicked), have coffee at Starbucks, and see a movie.

And my Sooners are Big 12 Champions, and I'm calling it now...we're winning the National Championship. It's going to be awesome.

The Perfect Day

Here is what a perfect day looks like if your baby decides not to come:

-browsing blogs and Facebook in the morning
-lunch with your husband at Friday's (hello Jack Daniels burger!)
-Rush to the theatre to buy tickets for "Four Christmases" with only 5 minutes to wait. By yourself!
-Wander the mall
-Stop by eyeglasses shop and end up filling your 2-month-old perscription and getting frames AND lenses for $99!
-Get two people DONE on your Christmas list
-Grab a Diet Dr. Pepper
-Stop by the chair massage kiosk in the mall
-Get a 25-minute massage where you're only charged for 20 minutes
-Feel awesome and hazily call your husband to leave work and come get a massage right then
-Walk around the mall with your husband, buying clothes at Baby Gap
-Browse e-mail on the phone while he gets his massage
-Meet 4 great friends for dinner at Cheesecake Factory...where you end the day with cheesecake and coffee
-Come home to crash and get a great night's sleep

Not too shabby, eh?

Colt's First OU Game

Also, you heard it here first. Colt's first OU game will actually be watching us win the National Championship, since he probably won't be out in time to watch us crush Missouri this weekend in the Big 12 Championship.

That's ok...his OU outfits will fit him better for that game anyway. Boomer Sooner!

No baby today!

Just FYI, Colt will not be arriving today. The induction date was today, but the doctor canceled it and wants to wait another week to see if he will come on his own. Sigh...kind of frustrating but we're ok with that!

Hate to do it, but the long drawn out story is at Here's to Hope. Just know last night was terrible, but we're ok today, and we're doing our best to be patient! He'll come any day now...so we're ready!

I will be back to regularly scheduled boringisms once my heart stops pounding and I can breathe again. I'm going to see "Four Christmases" today by myself (I LOVE seeing movies by myself!) and doing some Christmas shopping...we'll talk soon!

The weekend in a flash

Just a few thoughts from the last week:

-I am awfully proud of myself, seeing as how I called the Big 12 Championship spot back when we lost to Texas. I'm a believer, and my Sooners didn't let me down. On to beat Missouri and into the National Championship. Where we're going to win. Calling it now....you heard it here!

-If we don't win, I still love my Sooners and have lots of faith. But I think this is their season. We're doing it!

-I passed my cold on to several people at work and in the family. I'm a giver, y'all.

-Yesterday was a full-on marathon of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" and I couldn't pull myself away. That is one crazy family. And I'm dumber now for having watched it.

-John made "trash" this weekend, so guess what we'll be snacking on for a while? For those not in John's world, that's fancy chex mix that he mixes and bakes for hours and hours.

-Had my first Black Friday experience. Probably because I couldn't sleep on Wednesday or Thursday night because of the cold. John and I were both awake all night Thursday. At 1:30 John said that if we were still awake at 3, we were going out. So, we headed out around 3, got donuts, and were fourth in line at Target! We got some great deals and about half our shopping done. Those people are crazy. Let's just say there was sprinting involved down the aisles.

-Thanks to my dad's visit, we now have a real live leg lamp to add to our Christmas decorations. One of our favorite Christmas movies is "A Christmas Story" with Ralphie and the Red Ryder BB Gun. You know, his dad gets a "major award", it's a mannequin leg with fishnet stockings that goes in the front window? Surely you guys have seen it. Anyway, that was John's Christmas present. Nice!! I am trying to find a spot in the front window for it. I'm that kind of wife.

-We saw "Bolt" this weekend. WAY cute and I highly recommend it!

-For the first time in our married life, I bought frozen pizzas yesterday at the store. He will tell you otherwise now, but John has ALWAYS told me he hates anything frozen including pizzas. They're not crispy enough. But seeing as though I will be home during the day with a baby for the next 8 weeks...I bought myself some frozen pizzas. And fish sticks. And curly fries. And pizza rolls. And bagel bites. And I'm finally looking forward to eating at home!

And that's all I can think of for right now!

I am thankful

Though never worthy, I am blessed. I am blessed that I can't even count or name all the blessings in my life. But I can try, as this day also signifies the last Thusday, the last Thanksgiving, the last week as a family of 2. Awfully reflective, if you can imagine.

I'm thankful for traveling the country:
-for sinking my feet in sandy beaches on both coasts and on the most beautiful island I've ever seen
-for the chance to explore the mountains of Canada
-the coolness of the Alaskan rain forest
-eating delicious food in Savannah
-writing my son's name in the sand of South Carolina
-being rocked to sleep by the Pacific Ocean
-napping on my grandparent's couch

I'm thankful for my family:
-with whom I travel the country with
-with whom we can call up for last-minute dinners
-that pick me up from the airport
-that go to concerts with me
-that believe in God and attend church each week with us
-that listen and hug and cry when I'm in pain
-that buy us amazing things to support our growing family

I'm thankful for my friends:
-that listen to us drag on and on about our frustrations and still stick around for more
-that spend hours in my favorite coffee shop talking about life
-that bond over similar experiences
-that believe in me
-that share in hope
-that pray for me when I can't pray anymore
-that make me laugh until I cry
-that throw showers meant for someone far more deserving than I really am
-that love us as close to unconditionally as possible

I'm thankful for my husband. My wonderful, caring husband:
-for listening to me talk football and not think I'm stupid
-for rubbing my head when I have migraines
-for not calling me a hypochondriac
-who holds my hand each week when I give myself a shot
-that runs to the store for Kleenex and milk and toilet paper
-that tells me I look beautiful before church on Sundays
-that takes me to get donuts even though he can't eat them
-who tucks me into bed every night, whether we're angry or not
-who cries with me in good times and in bad
-who writes beautiful essays about our readiness as parents
-who surprises me with a nursery
-who buys a dream vacuum in a vacuum emergency
-who takes care of our bills so I don't have to worry
-who jumped head first into our journey to find our baby
-who prays for our baby, our family, and our troops overseas

I'm thankful for a brave young woman:
-who tried for love and didn't get it
-found herself a new love instead
-who knew that her new love needed more
-who knew SHE needed more
-who trusted in an amazing adoption agency
-and fell in love with two strangers
-who chose life for her love instead of an easy way out
-who suffers physically and emotionally in school each day for the one she loves
-who will go through unbearable pain to give her child life
-who will go on to accomplish her dreams
-and who will watch from afar as two strangers accomplish their dream
-who will watch her heart grow and grow and live and learn and love all from the outside
-who is trusting us to make this happen

I'm thankful for a little heartbeat that isn't even in the world yet:
-for staying strong
-for growing up healthily
-who will soon learn to trust two strangers
-who will one day meet his creator and understand the love she has for him

I'm thankful that next Thanksgiving we'll be a family of 3 dropping in on the rest of our growing families.

I'm thankful that I have trust in my God who provides far more than I deserve, who takes care of me, who trusts me to handle as much as I can handle.

I'm very, very thankful today. Still a little nervous, but thankful we've come this far and that hope will live on...no matter what happens.

Happy Thanksgiving!

ANNOYING!

Sorry for the serious lack of blogging. I could give you lots of excuses but I already did that on my other blog so no duplication. What I can blog about is a super annoying blog thing.

First of all, before I start, I apologize to anyone who reads this for sometimes asking you to link over to my other blog to read what I wrote instead of just writing here. My intention is to make this blog my main blog once the baby is born, I plan on retiring Here's to Hope once our journey is complete. Sometimes I know I share readers back and forth, and I don't want to repeat things...blahblahblah.

Which leads me to my biggest annoyance about blogland. Bloggers who get too big for their britches, write a million different places and all but abandon the blogs that made them interesting and funny and unique and addictive in the first place. Example entry of such annoyance:

"Sorry it's been so long, I've been busy writing here and here. And check out my newest article here. Catch you later!"

You know, if I wanted to read you in other places I would. But I found you because of your original amazing blog and now it's just a cheap way to get people to click over to your paying gigs and it takes all authenticity out of your writing.

Second biggest annoyance, the advertising. No, not the links down the side. But when you know that bloggers are being paid or incentivized by companies to talk about their products. Now, I know this is ironic, hypocritical, etc coming from me...I'M IN ADVERTISING AND PR!! I know that blogging and Twitter and the likes are the "wave of the future" and I'm in the middle of figuring out how to work with bloggers to reach people. I'm not against the idea. But recently there have been some bloggers who have been so wrapped up in their "paying gigs" that's all they talk about. Numerous upon numerous entries about "check out my recipe here" or "I was contacted by said company and now I love them". Moderation is the real key. I wish people could understand that. You have to be authentic and real....talking about it in every entry and not discussing your normal everyday things that made your blog great in the first place is not authentic and it's not real.

Ok...rant done. I had to cut some blogs loose this week on Bloglines. It was just too irritating! I'm not against making money on blogging, or advertising in general. But I just hate it when blogs lose what made them great...they stop being authentic and real.

I promise to be a better blogger. I have a whole entry on sensitive ponytail man in line at a restaurant who was talking about picking up girls at the "Twilight" premiere...

WARNING: What you are about to see may shock and disgust you

So neighborhood Bunko is playing at my house tonight. It's a fun group, but they are all relatively strangers. Which makes the pressure for the house to look nice (especially among ladies who live in similar houses on my block) especially strong. So when we figured out that our vacuum was fried (and probably had been for a long time, which makes sense since I've been saying it just isn't working) I sent John to the store for a cheap solution. Knowing DYSON was a long way away.

And he came home. With a magnificent, yellow Dyson and a grumbling-but-friendly greeting of "Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday".

So then we stood around all night and watched it transform our carpets. Watched the nastiness build inside the vacuum with every run. What you see below is the first run of the living room. JUST the living room. I was appalled. And fascinated. Apparently, this is not abnormal. But for me, the total clean freak that I am, I was appalled.

We vacuumed each room and came with the same nastiness as the living room. And I'm told if we vacuum again tonight, we'll probably get the same amount of stuff. So after Bunko tonight, I'm doing it. Welcome to my new (literally) dirty little secret.
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Also, I've started doing the crazy little thing called Twitter. If you Twitter (or start) please send me a note with your Twitter name so I can follow you! Mine is jandj621.

My Husband

I came home this week to the most amazing gift I've ever received. I left for Hilton Head for 6 days and the back bedroom was a white, empty, completely blank slate. I came home to this.

And then after a challenge/tag from Emily to write something very nice about my husband I thought what better time than after he blew me away with his handywork?

My husband is amazing. I guess the main thing I love about him is that he makes me laugh. All the time. It's constant laughter. Even if I'm really mad and we're yelling, he flares his nostrils and gets this grin and I erupt into giggles. Try yelling at someone who's nostrils are flaring...it's awfully hard.

He has been so supportive of everything I do. From the extra hours I work to the traveling I've been doing for the last 2 years to the phone calls and e-mails I accept during the evenings and weekends...he's been a great support in watching me grow my work responsibilities. I think he's even proud of having such a kick-a$$ professional wife!

He has made friends with my friends, supported our search for a church home, and been the more outgoing of the two of us to build relationships that will last us a lifetime.

He took over the budget from me after one year into our marriage and has single-handedly saved us thousands of dollars in doctor fees from all the stomach and psycho doctors I would see because of the ulcers money gives me. He takes great care of our financial life, allowed us to enjoy the dream home we're in and drive nice cars that won't fall apart. And gives me my monthly luxury of DVR and digital cable!

And all of that doesn't even touch on the support he's offered me over the last THREE years of trying to grow this little family of ours. The first year of trying to have a baby that almost broke us, the second year of expensive specialists and treatments and needles and testing, and now this third year of adoption. The fact that we have survived this long, and truly grown stronger because of it, makes bringing our son home in a few weeks all that more meaningful. Not everyone would be strong enough to go through the things we went through to have baby....I'm so glad I found the right person to stick with it.

He's funny, he's handy (just look at those nursery pics!), he's sensitive, he's personable, he loves his family, he's a loyal friend, and he's currently sugar-free! Still going strong over 11 months of not eating sweets...that right there is a feat within itself and I'm very proud of him.

I love you, Babe! Thanks for being the perfect husband (most of the time...pick your socks up off the floor and then you'll be perfect!) and for building a dream room for me and for Colt. You're amazing!

No Celine

Bad, bad blogger I am...it's a good thing I didn't sign up for NaBloPoMo this year. I'm in terrible shape!!


Before I give you pictures and a recap of my trip to BEAUTIFUL Savannah (including a complete recount of every food I ate at The Lady and Sons Restaurant), and before I show you pictures of the AMAZING nursery I came home to yesterday...I just have to say how much this week sucks.


On the list of "things to do before I die" includes seeing Celine Dion in concert. I mean, I know some of you think that's completely stupid but I LOVE her and have for so long and have always wanted to see her in person.

Last year for Christmas my sister gave me tickets to her concert in Tulsa on November 13th. So you can imagine how exciting this week was supposed to be. I've been looking forward to it for almost a year, but really waiting on it for, like, 15 years.

The concert has been postponed due to Celine being sick. Which, I think, means it will never really happen. It's supposed to happen on February 2nd and I really, really hope it does. I was so ready to go see her and sing power ballads all night with my concert buddy sister. I even warned Julia I was probably going to cry like a baby the whole time because it's that kind of thing for me.


So...no Celine this week. Sad, sad, sad.

I'll post pictures soon!

Middle of the Night Ramblings

So, yeah, it's 2:00 in the morning and I'm not asleep. I'd like to say it's because I just got in after a crazy night of partying with the retirement community here in Hilton Head. But, that is not the case.

After an afternoon of outlet shopping (and a little beach combing) I ended up with a ridiculous migraine right before we were supposed to leave for dinner with fun clients. I decided I could not sit through 3+ hours of small talk so I grabbed a burger from the hotel bar (because the room service is not very good), quickly ate and ended up crashing around 7:00 p.m.

Sounds like a dream, right? Well, the only problem is that I woke up from what was essentially a nap at 11:30 (in time to see Texas Tech beat OSU which ONLY pleased me because it helps us get to the Big 12 Championship). I'm wide awake....wide awake. I could work, but that's not sounding all that appealing.

In case I haven't mentioned it, we have a baby due in less than a month. If he has not arrived by December 4th, that's the day he will join us! But I've had a feeling for a while we'll have a Thanksgiving baby (sometime that week) and the doctor is saying he would not be surprised if that's the case. It's looking very promising.

The amount of things I have between now and then add up so much I'm not sure where to start. Luckily my business trips for 2008 are over as of Monday. Then it's back to work where I need to conduct a survey, get my team squared away on their plans for the rest of the year, create my "while I'm out" list of roles and responsibilities for my boss and team members, pack up my office for the office move in 2 weeks, figure out insurance and flex plan details for 2009 with a new baby, assemble my last presentation for 2008 to update all my agency's offices, and make sure everything is together for while I'm on leave.

Also, in between all the things I need to get together for work, I have Liz's baby shower, Celine Dion concert, my next baby shower, Riley's birthday party, Thanksgiving, my dad visiting, unpacking all the gifts and organizing the nursery, cleaning (and more cleaning), writing Thank You notes, reading Book Club book (may not happen), spending time with family and friends, and OH YEAH getting some time in with my husband before our life changes forever.

And then there is the worrying and waiting and daily changes to think about with the whole adoption process and birth parents. Contacting our lawyer, daily calls driving our caseworker crazy, anxiety about the hospital experience (all the unknowns), and the terrifying reality that this may very well be it. We're going to be parents, it's happening...and I have no idea how to do that.

So forgive me if I'm a little on edge or out of touch the next few weeks. In fact, just typing all that out is helping with this insomnia and making me very sleepy. I think I'll head to bed and try to get a little more sleep. Big day tomorrow...we're headed into Savannah, GA to shop and eat at The Lady and Sons restaurant (Paula Deen's place) for some good ol' butter-soaked, deep fried southern cooking!

Good Night (morning)!

It's a hard life

It is literally the perfect day here in South Carolina. See the view from my balcony? How about the view from my stroll on the beach? No clouds, no wind, 75 degrees. Absolutely perfect.

Free afternoon today, tomorrow will be spent playing Wii, Rock Band, and browsing Facebook. Because we have to. Sigh...I really do love my job! I just wish John was here, but he is busy painting and assembling a crib. I will go home on Monday to an almost-complete nursery!!

What If

Dude, what if I didn't vote, and just said I did?

You all would never know the difference! I could spend the next 4 years griping and complaining (or high-fiving, depending on the outcome) and totally play the part and you guys would never know!

Don't freak out, I'm going to vote this afternoon. I'm just saying...what if I didn't?

I would tell everyone to go vote, because I do believe in it, but I don't think you need direction from me. I will say one thing about the day...I believe today's election is very important. But I also believe that THIS election is as important as it is every 4 years (and in between).

Voting for president, and senators, and congressmen, and state legislators, and school board representatives, and judges, and state questions are ALL important. Each one a vital part of the way our country works. So, yes, please vote today. Take it seriously, just do it, blah blah blah.

But what's really important is to KEEP voting. Whoever takes office after this election will have, at most, 8 years in office. I'm pretty sure we're all going to continue living long after 8 years has passed. We have to have as much passion and drive for future elections as we do for this one. So today is no more important to me than 2004's election, or last year's state elections, or 2012's election. I just like to vote, I like to feel a part of this system no matter how small.

And, yes, I think American politics (politics anywhere actually) are incredibly corrupt. But that doesn't mean I can't exercise my freedom to TRY and have a say in the way it works. That was for my husband.

OMG! It's so cute!

Yeah, this is pretty much how I looked all day yesterday. And pretty much all I said was "aaawwww! it's so cute!!!".

I'm still processing the amazement of yesterday. More pics and updates to come. In the meantime, thanks to my amazing friends and church family. I'm overwhelmed.

The result and a week in a flash

So, I know you were all wondering how my day as a guest speaker at OU went...and it went GREAT! I'm always amazed at how confident of a public speaker I am. I am always SO nervous before a crowd of people I don't know, and I think of all the ways I can stumble and say "um, uh, like, um" over and over again...then I get on stage and open my mouth and it's a complete out-of-body experience. It's like hearing someone else say the words.

Anyway, it went well. Several students came up to me to ask about internships and job contacts, some even said they weren't sure about PR as a major until they heard me talk about agency PR and now they have more direction. Yay! It is definitely easy for me to talk about how much I love my job, the agency I work for, my co-workers, my experience, my work. Of course there are days when I think I just want to throw in the towel. But I would say 98% of the time work is very rewarding for me. I couldn't imagine being anywhere else.
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Other news this week in flash form:

We got a camcorder...we went Christmas shopping instead of trick-or-treating...John's going to the OU game tomorrow...our first baby shower is Sunday...we saw a really funny, really inappropriate movie...we went to a Halloween party last night...we bought paint for our nursery...I haven't cleaned my house in weeks...I'm currently obsessed with wanting the carpets cleaned (any recommendations?)...we've enjoyed absolutely perfect weather in Oklahoma...no one gave us a hard time about our choice for our baby's name...I finally got invitations out for Liz's shower, which is going to be awesome...and we had a couple of dinners together.

That has been our week.

Next week I vote on Tuesday (thank goodness this election madness is almost over) and then head to Hilton Head, South Carolina for 5 days. Yeah, business travel can be tough.

Career Day

Well, I've been up since 4am today, so we all know how the rest of my day will go!

Long story short, I'm returning to my alma mater, the University of Oklahoma, to speak to an Intro to PR class of around 90 students. In typical Jessica fashion, I waited until the last minute to put together my presentation, fully intending on drowning myself in it yesterday. But a dang migraine hit and knocked me out for most of the day. So now I find myself up and completing the presentation before the sun rises on Wednesday morning!

One thing is for sure, I am a morning person once I can roll myself out of bed. I've found this morning SO peaceful and quiet, my distractions are few. Once the baby is here and I go back to work, I've decided John will take the late-night feedings and I'll take the early morning feedings. I'd MUCH rather go to bed at 9 or 10 and get up super early. It's not uncommon for me, with all the early-morning flights I'm used to taking.

Anyway, wish me luck on not looking like a complete idiot in front of a generation of future PR professionals. I hope they don't look at me and think "so, yeah, if I'm going to end up like her count me out...where's my advisor? I need a new major."

They're going to ask me the coolest moment in my job. Is it completely unprofessional to say "OMG, when Ben Stiller was at our meeting and then I went back to my hotel room and OMG he was like RIGHT THERE in front of my room! Like totally right there, I could have touched him, and he's super short in person. And I didn't want to be a total idiot and ask him for a picture but OMG I should have because when am I ever going to see Ben Stiller again?! He was just standing there waiting on an elevator like a normal person, and it reminded me of when I was 9 years old and I saw NKOTB in concert and we sat on the side of the stage and watched them drink water between songs like NORMAL PEOPLE! So, yeah, Ben Stiller was a totally awesome part of my job!"

Ok, ok, how's this instead?
"Yes, I do actually manage a staff of professionals in offices across the country, provide thought leadership and strategic development for PR with a top 10 global brand, and travel the country to sit in multiple meetings contemplating the pros and cons of adding an extra pickle to a sandwich. And sometimes Ben Stiller shows up. Whatev."

Baby's Name

***Same post from Here's to Hope, but in case you don't read that one here it is***

All it took was a solid 8 hours on a road trip over the weekend, forced to be together and do nothing but discuss names and sing Neil Diamond.

Colton Thomas Anderson.

Colt for short.

Yes, my friends, Colt. You have one chance and one chance only to get your teasing in. Yes, I'm like the biggest OU fan in the world. Yes, Colt is the first name of University of Texas' starting quarterback. Yes, it's the name of a pro football team that is NOT the Dallas Cowboys. (the name did not come from either one of those BTW)

But we love it nonetheless. We are very excited!

Frivolous

If I had all the money in the world and could do whatever frivolous thing I wanted, I would have heated tile floors in my house.

Ok, and probably a maid to clean them.

What frivolous thing would you have?

December 4th

Baby Anderson will make his official debut on December 4th. Hopefully he won't take after his parents and arrive annoyingly early to this gigantic function.

The same can't be said for us. We may try to check into the hospital on December 1st, because that's the kind of annoyingly early arrivers we are!

Prayers, prayers, and more prayers needed for everyone over the next 45 days.

Holy moly....45 days!!!!

If only every weekend could be like this

How do I even begin to describe the TOTALLY AWESOME weekend I had? I mean, it was a weekend of weekends. Total fun from start to finish.

I should start by saying I did not take one single picture. Not one. I was too busy talking to even think about pictures, and there were plenty of photographers around so I will steal shamelessly from their Facebooks and hopefully have a few pieces of the weekend documented.

On Friday John and I headed to Norman for a BBQ dinner with other former Sooners for Christ alumni to catch up and remember good times. It was especially nice for me because most people that came to the first annual weekend reunion were from my generation. Hopefully in the next few years as we get it up-and-going we will see more and more from across the years, but it was nice this time to see so many familiar faces.

After a long night of talking we headed home. Saturday I headed down for some tailgating and game-watching. I have to say, one of the things I miss the most about that time in my life is watching football games with everyone. There is nothing else like it, it's the best time. I wasn't even at the stadium and I had a blast. But we're so close that we left the windows and doors open at the Outreach Center, and we could hear when good things happened before we saw them on TV. Very exciting.

That evening there was a small group of us that came together to sing and share experiences. We talked about how the ORC changed our life, our experiences (funny and serious) and we could have gone on all night. I left so refreshed and excited, but with the slightest twinge of sadness that my time there is over. I liked to say for a long time it was the best four years of my life and in so many ways it was. But I also love the life I have with John and the friends we have together (many of them carry-overs from our time in Norman) and I imagine that beginning in December no time in my life will be able to compare.

I also just have to shower some love on my friend Aaron, who said some things to me that made my heart burst. He is married to the most amazing woman, one of my very best friends and father to the sweetest girl in the world. They are lucky to have him, and John and I are beyond blessed to have them in our lives.

Cary had a good summary. I'm sure others will follow suit.
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So that was just the first part of the weekend. On Sunday John and I drove back to Norman and went to church at Alameda for the first time in years. It was nice, and we had a good old-fashioned kid-free lunch with Pam and Todd. Although, their kids are hilarious so it would have been fun to have them there....but I think Pam and Todd were excited to have an adult lunch so who knows?!

I needed a nap after all that...and because our night was about to get crazy.

A few months ago, quite randomly John announced that Neil Diamond was the "greatest American songwriter of all time". I mean, who doesn't like a little Neil, I suppose, but WHAT?! I mean really, totally random. It was something he'd been keeping to himself all 9 years we've known each other but whatev.

Anyway, not long after that announcement he made another announcement: he'd bought tickets to see Neil Diamond at the Ford Center in OKC. And he paid really ridiculous money for the tickets. But it was his blow money so, again....whatev.

Sunday was the night. The show started at 8 and we were going with a few friends. We decided to hit Bricktown for dinner first, but everyone in the metro area over 40 years old was in Bricktown for dinner. Zio's was backed up, as was every place along the canal. Except one spot.

Y'all, I preceded my trip to see Neil Diamond in concert with my first trip to Hooters. It was just that kind of night. (Yeah, Liz, we totally went to Hooters with your mom...it never stops making me giggle!)

After some surprisingly good food we headed to the concert. I don't have any photos of the concert because apparently Neil is very picky about cameras and you're not allowed to bring them in. So, our poor friends volunteered to hike my camera all the way back to the car while we got settled in.

The concert started with John's favorite song, "Holly Holy". And from then on it was pretty fantastic. The great thing about this kind of concert was all the OLD people who aren't afraid to be cheeseballs. There was singing (loudly) and dancing. And it felt like everyone was patting everyone else on the back with jolly "Neil Diamond is awesome" friendliness.

I can't decide if the best part was "Sweet Caroline" twice with the lights on the audience, everyone swaying, singing like mad and pumping their fists in the air OR if it was the encore with "Coming to America" AND "Brother Love's Travelin' Salvation Show".

I'm officially a fan, y'all.
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Thanks for sticking with me through my long update....awesome weekend deserves awesomely long update!

Friday Bits-and-pieces

One thing I'm totally sick of? This stupid election. I'm SO tired of hearing about it. I vaguely recall being annoyed with lots of televised debates 4 years ago, but I forget just how annoyed. Sorry, I didn't even watch the one Wednesday night because I'm SO ANNOYED.

For those that are interested, I did decide who I'm voting for. There are things that I'm bothered by with both candidates, but there's one I have a little more confidence in than the other. I'm not going to go into it here (don't feel like getting ripped up like many major ANNOYING bloggers that keep posting their ridiculous rhetoric) but if you want to know, ask me!
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Last night I got all pumped up to watch "Wheel of Fortune" because Michele's boyfriend Stephen was on! He ended up winning the regular round and went on to play for $30,000! He didn't win that, but he did win a trip to Mexico and some major cash and I'm sure Michele was happy with that. Anyway, it was fun to watch him and see her on TV!
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John and I are going all crazy on Sunday night. We have tickets to see Neil Diamond in concert. John says he's "the greatest American songwriter of our time". I think it's just because he's seen "Saving Silverman" one too many times.

Anyway, we've been listening to a lot of "Holly Holy", "Sweet Caroline" and "Forever in Blue Jeans" getting ready. It better be good because John paid a lot of money for the tickets. Be jealous.
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I had a former client stop by today and bring cupcakes. He was in town and came by to see the girls at the office and catch up. I would just like to encourage any of my friends, professional or personal, to feel free to drop by my office with cupcakes whenever the mood strikes you.
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Off a little early for reunion and homecoming fun. I'll check back (probably with pictures) next week!

Reunion

When I was a senior in high school, I applied to a few in-state colleges. I got into all that I applied to, but my decision was quite clearly between OU and OSU. I was actually leaning more toward OSU in the beginning. I had several friends that were in the journalism program there and my grandfather is an alumnus.

I had not been swayed by my parents one way or another. They weren't really sports fans and both had gone to Oklahoma Christian University (formerly OCC)) so it was totally up to me. I visited both campuses and while I thought OSU was a perfectly lovely campus, my heart leapt from my body when I stepped on the grounds at the University of Oklahoma. It was beautiful...old buildings, lots of trees, old red phone booths everywhere. For some reason, I felt completely at home. It looked exactly like what I'd pictured college would look like.

But I didn't know anyone going to OU. Many of my high school friends were a year younger, or a year older and out-of-state. I ended up going "potluck" on dorm roommates and got extremely lucky (Hi Jenny C.!!). I spent the first few weeks counting down the days to the weekends to come home, and eventually I wandered a few feet away to a little white house on Elm street called The University Outreach Center. It was the church of Christ student center (shout out to the CofC) and I figured it was worth a shot.

My life would never, ever be the same as I stepped through the door there. I will never forget being greeted by two friendly girls named Laura (not my future roommate but another one) and Jenny (not the current freshman roommate but another one). It wouldn't be long before I met Brooke, Cary, Derek, Mario, Pam and all the others who would make my four years at OU the most fun of my life.

I have so many stories about my time there. So many adventures and travels and classes and long nights studying at Prairie Kitchen. Scavenger hunts, Life Groups, ski trips, pranks, football games, and hundreds of hours talking and laughing and never going to class. It was thanks to the insistence of my friends there that I bought season football tickets in 2000 and discovered the absolute bliss that is Oklahoma and college football. It was a blast and I was truly blessed to be a part of such an incredible group.

This weekend is the first annual "Sooners for Christ" reunion at the Outreach Center. Not everyone can make it, but I'm SO excited to see those that can. I keep in touch with many, but we don't see each other very often. I can't wait to spend the weekend (and watch the game) with them!

Sooners

Sigh. I hate college football and love college football all at once.

Boomer Sooner! OU still rules. We'll get 'em next year!

Red River Shootout

Go Sooners!

Texas sucks!

For those of you headed to Dallas for the game, eat a corny dog for me and know I'm cheering very loudly up north, on the correct side of Texas.

Boomer Sooner!!!!!

TV

It's really hard to think of anything else at this point, but I'll try.

I realized I never went over my traditional "Fall TV List" like I have in the past. This is when I proudly admit ALL the TV I watch each season and then do my best to keep from rolling my eyes when people proclaim "how do you have the time"? To those I say: how do you NOT have the time?

GET A DVR, PEOPLE! It changes your life.

Anyway, here goes my fall TV list. This is what is currently on my regular DVR list, though I'm thinking of dropping a few. Those are indicated below.

Sunday:
- Brothers and Sisters
- Mad Men (if you're not watching this phenomenal show, rent the first season or view it OnDemand and get caught up! Pam, my fellow advertising major, this means you!)

Monday:
- How I Met Your Mother
- Samantha Who?
- CSI: Miami
- Raising the Bar (I'm thinking of dropping this one)

Tuesday:
- House
- Fringe (BEST new show of the season! Love it!)
- Law and Order: SVU
- Without a Trace (thinking of dropping it, but I've watched since the beginning and I'll feel guilty)

Wednesday:
- Criminal Minds (got into this late last year and I really like it)
- Dirty, Sexy Money

Thursday:
- The Office
- Grey's Anatomy

Once the spring season starts this list will include Lost and American Idol.

I also love catching random episodes of Jon and Kate Plus 8, Gene Simmons Family Jewels, and Girls Next Door. That's about the extent of my "reality". And none of those are on our recording list right now because it was too much!

John and I agree on only 3 shows: The Office, House, and HIMYM. But we're trying to catch up on a little USA show called Psych if my sister will ever bring over the first season for us! Hint, hint!

Ok...there you go. Don't even try to make me feel bad about it because I don't. I'm not really a movie person, so this and college football are my entertainment. And coffee. I'd always rather be at Starbucks with my girls than in front of the TV!

Atlantic Coast

So here I am in Virginia Beach. I was REALLY looking forward to this business trip. It was going to be very relaxed (I didn't even bring work clothes--all jeans), no scheduled meetings, just some strategy sessions and bonding with coworkers. Unfortunately, the meetings were over before I even arrived. Nobody's fault, but there is no reason for me to stay the next few days so I'm headed home tomorrow.

Which really stinks because it's beautiful here, and my hotel is literally on the beach. Below is the view from my balcony....one of only a few times I could actually enjoy myself!

I did go spend some time on the beach, reading one of the many baby books I have received recently and enjoying the smell and sound of the ocean. It got too cold to stay out in flip flops and capris so I headed to eat at the hotel restaurant. I ate the very best crab cake I've ever had...I love having seafood at the sea!

Anyway, I am going to sleep well with the sound of the ocean rocking me tonight. All in a day's work!

Our version of a positive EPT

I've been bursting at the seams to write this blog post. For two days now we've been not-so-quietly sharing with friends and family that we're going to be parents!

As most of you know (you all read my other blog, right?!) we have been trying to have a baby for nearly 3 years. We have been working with an adoption agency since February, and we've been officially on the waiting list since August 20th.

We got a call on Thursday that we've been chosen to be the parents to a healthy baby boy due in early December of this year.

We are over the moon, on cloud nine, totally pumped...every which way you can describe excited is what we are.

For more to the story, visit our post about the call that changed our life on Here's to Hope.

This blog is about to turn baby friendly (but not baby obsessed, I promise!).

We're having a baby!

The Tag you've been waiting for!

I know everyone has been waiting for my 6 random things, because there is just not enough randomness on this blog!

Thanks, Emily, for tagging me. I have to say, I pretty much spill all kinds of random things on this blog over the last 3 1/2 years, so there may not be much new stuff to say.

1. I'm not really afraid of flying anymore. Knock on wood. Still superstitious? Yes. Still a little apprehensive? Yes. But do I chew my nails off and cry during takeoff? No.

2. I absolutely hated our first year of marriage. I was pretty sure the marriage thing was not for me. This is not a revelation to most, I've talked about it before. But anytime someone gets married I try to remember them in my thoughts and prayers for the first year because it was HARD! Getting used to someone, becoming a new person, learning new ways to deal with things...difficult. But the day we hit our first anniversary--it was like the sun began shining. It's what I call our lightbulb moment...it was that obvious. A lot of it had to do with giving up control of the money....which meant giving up a HUGE stressor in my life. I'm perfectly capable of handling it if I needed to, but having the choice to let someone else take care of that makes my life much, much happier.

3. Sometimes when I'm watching Sooner football, I sing a little song in my head that goes "All I want for Christmas is a National Championship". And then I think about all the things in my life I'd give up for an OU National Championship. I stop when I get to cable. But I'm perfectly willing to give up Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

Obviously, I have a problem.

4. I hate, hate, hate talking on the phone. Except to my mom and John, who bear the brunt of my jabber. So, if it seems like I communicate way more via Facebook and e-mail or even text....it's because that's my preferred method of communication. I'm a master texter and if you text, send me one and we can get to know each other via text!

5. I don't really like candy. I'm not a snacker, so candy to me is a waste. When I was young and trick-or-treating on Halloween, I was more interested in counting the candy, arranging them into like piles (Reese's here, M&M's here, Snickers here) and hoarding them until my mom threw them out on Fourth of July. Even now, if I get candy at Christmas or Easter it sits in my desk drawer until the girls in my office finish it off. There are rare exceptions and I like an occasional munch but overall....I could take it or leave it. I still have Christmas candy from '07....probably should go ahead and throw it out!

6. If I could do anything other than the job I'm doing right now, I believe I would be a lawyer. Or maybe a high school English/writing/journalism teacher. But I've thought long and hard about this and those are the only other two things I would want to do.

Random! Almost everybody else has been tagged so, alas, I'm not going to tag anyone. If you haven't been tagged, consider this your invitation to blog 6 random things!

On Politics

Is anybody watching The Debate tonight?

If I could find anyplace without a terribly decided and biased media commentator, I would watch it. As it happens, no matter which station I'm watching I get the blatant, often spiteful contempt for one candidate and the smitten love affair with another. I am so SICK of hearing the commentators commentating on politics, I'm sick of reporters reporting on politics, and I'm sick of hearing people give their opinions on someone's character.

I literally cannot stomach CNN or MSNBC or Fox News.

Want me to be honest with you? Ok, I'll be honest. I technically hadn't really made up my mind. I honestly felt like THIS election, with all it's grandeur and history-making, warranted an unbiased look at the candidates for my measly little vote. I didn't immediately despise one candidate over another, didn't have personality issues, no obvious moral issues up front.

I wanted to evaluate both on their stance on important issues. And, yes, evaluate the true meaning of experience and decide for myself if it made a difference. Instead, all I get when trying to research either one is the strong and desperate need to vote for John McCain to SPITE ALL THE MEDIA. Maybe some will vote for Obama because of the media's constant not-so-subliminal messaging in every disdainful word they say. But it makes me want to do the exact opposite. Simply watch the two candidates on "The View", read their cover stories in "People" or even go back and watch the coverage of the two conventions and you'll see how sick it all is.

For those interested, I am registered Republican. I have a STRONG politically-minded, Republican family. I live in Oklahoma for goodness sakes. I go to church in Oklahoma. All of these things should tell you that it's in me to vote Republican.

However, I also fell in love with political science in college. I realized later I fell in love with the study of it, not what it actually is these days. I wish I'd lived in the 60s when it actually meant something but that's beside the point. Anyway, I have found myself to be a pretty strong moderate. GASP! That means I agree with points on BOTH SIDES! Can you believe it?

It also means that I try to look at the candidates and their support before voting. And I've actually voted for a democrat before. In all fairness, it was Gov. Brad Henry because he was the lesser of two evils but I digress.

Anyway...I just hate that I am being so influenced by the media. I really think I have to vote for McCain simply because I despise the coverage SO MUCH. And Hollywood....let's get real. Seriously, WHO CARES about Ben Affleck or Jessica Alba and their support for Obama? Really? Newsflash, people: half the Jonas Brothers aren't old enough to vote so why does it matter who they would vote for? Seriously?!

This is not a support for either one and note that I didn't commit to either one. It's simply an observation. And I remember when I was growing up someone told me it's rude to ask people who they voted for, it's personal. Like salary or weight or chocolate preferences. So I probably won't even tell you who I do vote for.

But, I will say VOTE. It's important to VOTE. Your vote does matter (lovely husband) and you should vote and if you don't then please don't complain later.

Photos

So here are some photos from my room, my friend Rachel's room, and the hallways we have to wander.

First up, Rachel's room...notice the fab yellow wallpaper, 80s floral curtains, and bright red carpet and green chairs. I need to get photos of Tanneise's room because it has bright blue wallpaper and bright red chairs.

Rachel's bathroom has a bidet...what?? Random!

Then, you can see the hallways. And it's not just one hallway. You have to walk through several and it feels like miles of winding creepiness. Looks like "The Shining", right? And notice the nice carpet that runs through the entire hotel. Kelly green much?

Then my room. I love the wallpaper on the bathroom ceiling. My room is not nearly as weird as Rachel's or Tanneise's. But it feels like I'm in a dollhouse. Notice the floral curtains. The wallpaper is pink and white striped.

All that to say...it's a really nice hotel. Every room is different, for sure which makes it eclectic and authentic. The beds are heavenly, the towels are 100% Egyptian cotton and I could wear them they are so warm and soft. And the robes....oh, the robes. So...it's bizarre because it's so nice, but so gaudy!

The Shining

Well, I'm back in West Virginia. This time at a very nice resort with a 5-star restaurant. And it's the absolute weirdest place I've ever stayed. I keep seeing things I want to take pictures of to post, but so far there have been a lot of people around where I go so it would be weird.

This place looks like it got lost somewhere between 1978 and 1989. Maybe a little '91 in there, I can't tell. There is an overabundance of florals. And kelly green....lots and lots of kelly green. There is no way to even describe the decor...no consistency other than bright, obnoxious 80s florals and lots of green.

Also, I think this place began as a large plantation house and has been added on to for years. The hallways are looooong and a little creepy. Very "redrum" feel to it and I keep thinking twin girls are going to appear at the end of the hall with a wild-eyed Jack Nicholson to boot.

Oh, and each night at 9:00 they put signs up by the elevators that say "It's sleepy time in the South" trying to encourage people to be quiet.

Finally, there is only one place to eat after 9:00 and it's about half a mile across the resort land. I didn't eat dinner last night (which is INSANE for me) because we tried to get room service delivered to the hotel bar (which we found out they won't do) and then we walked to the restaurant where we found out it would be an hour before they'd let us even place an order. By the time I got to my room to order room service it was 10:00 and that was just silly. I ate the chocolates on my bed and fell asleep.

I don't even know how to describe it other than VERY bizarre. Other than the decor, it's absolutely beautiful here. I'm sleeping with the windows open (though I'll close tonight because it got COLD last night!) and the air is so crisp and clear...I saw a thousand stars last night on my walk to find dinner.

I hope to post more later.

I feel like I'm taking crazy pills

One question:

WHO CARES ABOUT THE JONAS BROTHERS?

I think I have more interest in Amy Winehouse than the Jonas Brothers. And that's saying a lot.

Is that what Gen X-ers felt about Backstreet Boys and N*SYNC?

Weekend Review

It's been a really crazy week.

My baby sis ended up in the hospital last week with the always painful (so I hear) kidney stones! She's still recovering this week so I have been keeping her in my thoughts.

I also have two good friends in desperate need of prayer. One for her health, and one for a serious relationship in her life. It's a terrible, terrible feeling to feel so helpless when people you love are hurting so much. It has all hit in the last two weeks, making me remember that it's not always all about me. While I am thankful I am not the person it is all happening to, I'm also frustrated that there is nothing I can do to help them.

Anyway, a lot is weighing on my heart these days.
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Despite all that, I had a great weekend. It started on Friday night with the baptism of our nephew, Easton! We are so proud that Easton has made that choice and taken his spiritual life so seriously. It truly, truly was an honor to be there to witness it....even if he is a man of few words!

You can see pictures here at Easton's blog, or on his mom's blog as well.

After that, I headed to Norman for the Alameda CofC Ladies Retreat, which is always fun for me to catch up with old friends. Though this year, there were few old friends...but I walked away with several new ones!

We stayed up terribly late and Saturday I was pretty worn out. I attended a beautiful wedding of a cow-worker, and then managed to up the energy to head to Eischen's for some fried chicken and OU football. My Sooners continue to impress and I am excited to see how the rest of the season goes!

Sunday I had every intention of cleaning my disgusting house. John was working in the yard so I thought it would be appropriate for me to work as well. Hhhmmm...I didn't. I napped. But then John and I ended up spending the afternoon and evening together and it was really good for us! This time of year time gets away from us and we don't spend a lot of alone time together. He's coaching Mason's football team this year, which means at least 3 nights a week in practice and games! Add to that my crazy travel schedule and it makes for a lot of time apart.

We ate at the new Longhorn Steakhouse. Really good steaks, kind of pricey. More than Texas Roadhouse if you're wondering.

Anyway....all in all a great weekend. I have several coffee dates planned this week with girlfriends and I'm looking forward to that! If you get a chance to send up a quick prayer for K and M, please do...much appreciated.

Dear Steve Jobs

Dear Steve Jobs,

I love you. You, Steve Jobs, are a Genius. Really. You're such a Genius that you created a feature for my beloved iPod called Genius. And it's the perfect gift to the world, Steve Jobs. Just like the iPod...almost as good as the iPod.

I have to tell you, I don't have a Mac computer. I don't have any computer except my work computer but if I did...I would buy a Mac. Simply because you are a Genius. My friend, Emily has been telling me for a while but I couldn't listen.

I only loved one part of you, Steve Jobs, before now. But now I see...I can love all of you.

Just two days ago I announced to the world I was tired of my playlists on my iPod. I needed ideas of new songs. And then THE VERY NEXT DAY your e-mail came to me, like a spring in the desert. You answered my call, Steve Jobs. Like you created Genius just for me.

Thanks to Genius, I can discover playlists I'd never dreamed of with my current music. I don't even have to buy new music...you search me and know my tastes and create brand new music for me at the touch of a button.

I love you, Steve Jobs. Don't stop what you're doing because it's truly...well, Genius.

Love,
Jessica

If you haven't already, download iTunes version 8.0 and check out the Genius feature. I know, I know I'm sure someone else has been doing this for a long time...but for a basic computer gal like me this was A-MA-ZING.

Also, I LOVE all the music suggestions I'm getting! Keep them coming and I will post my new playlist soon!