And a new journey begins!

I can't believe it has been over a year since my last blog post. ALOT has happened. Well, one major thing has happened! This is what happened to me July 20th, the day before my birthday. He totally shocked me. The day before, July 19th, my cousin Lauren and I were at his place to watch a movie. Her and I were talking that he told a timeline of when he will propose to our good friend Katie Pena. She told me that she wants to go fishing with him to get his timeline as well. Well, Saturday when I came to his place from dialysis I told him all about what Lauren and I were talking about. He looked at me and said, "How about this for a timeline?" Holding the ring in his hand. I looked at it, did a touble take. Looked at him and said "Are you serious?". He said yes I am serious. "Will you marry me?" I said yes of course. He put it on, and then I couldn't stop shaking for like an hour or so. I was flying high. Still am. Can't believe he asked me to be his wife. Now I since the beginning of November, I have been looking at dresses. For me and for my girls. Well I found both. Mainly I found my dress, and I can't wait to Say Yes To the Dress. It is so pretty, and the main thing. I feel pretty in that dress. I will knock Ryan's socks off his feet. Or blow him away. I will blow everybody away in that dress. My grandma will be making my veil and the ring pillow for us. Which will make it extra special. Plus she is going to help me with doing the flowers. We are doing fake. I want them to last. So we have our bridal party picked and asked. Even the mini bride and groom. Mini-bride: Olivia Nysse(our bestman and bridesmaid's daughter, our good friends), and mini-groom: Logan Kling (my god-son, our nephew, and our little buddy). Both of them are super excited to be in our wedding. Also, when we get married my new niece or nephew will just turn 1. That's right. My sister-in-law is pregnant right now. Found this out after my birthday. So our little family that my dad and mom created is starting to grow. With another son-in-law and a new baby. Exciting times. That is it for now. It is almost Christmas. Happy times for our family are ahead. Hope you all have a blessed and safe Holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours. Jodie

And the journey begins.........

Well, tomorrow I will begin a new journey. If you don't know yet, I will start watching a precious little boy tomorrow for a wonderful family. I can't wait to get to know the little guy and to know the family better. So excited for that. I will be able to put my years of experience to practice and what I have learned in my classes. Plus on top of working I will working to finish my class. I also found out that I need to take one final class to be fully licensed if I ever so choose to work in a daycare facility. That may happen in the future down the road, but not any time soon. Not even in the next couple years. I plan to stick with this family for as long as they need me. Other things are also starting to fall into place as well. But not saying anymore on that right now. New and exciting things are in the works with God's help. God sure is awesome in helping me find this job, adn to have these awesome hours. That is enough for now. Until next time.....enjoy! Jodes

What will 2012 bring?

Hmmm! I am hoping, which I am 80% certain, that 2012 will be a great year. Hoping everything stays good and even gets better. Certain things will happen this year that I am very excited for. I am happy to report that Ryan's sister got engaged over Christmas. Her wedding will be March 9, 2013 in Chicago. Can't wait to see my love in a monkey suit, and to be smack dab in the middle with his family. I love his family so much, I feel so loved when we are all together. I am so excited for her. Hoping March 31st this year to go to Gurnee Mills with Ryan to meet up with his sister and her fiance. We will obviously go to the Bass Pro Shop. Maybe we will eat at the Rainforest Cafe. Who knows. I can't wait. My health is doing good. Dialysis days kinda suck, but I muddle through it. Yesterday my arm mildly hurt due to them digging around trying to find the tunnel, they created this with my vein. They went a little to far towards me. But all was better once I put ice on my arm. Then once I got off and all my blood got back to me. I stood up to my standing blood pressure. Well, I crashed BIG TIME almost close to passing out. Not cool! Sat down quickly, put feet up, and drank some water. Got better once I left. Other than that, all is good. Just taking it one run at a time. That is all I can do. What will 2012 bring for you? Or what do you hope to accomplish or happen? Stay posted!! Jodes

2012

I hope 2012 will bring some exciting things. One thing is my nephew (#2 man in my life) will be turning 1. Can't wait. He so loves using Auntie as a recliner and a chew toy. Yes I said chew toy. This past weekend, little monkey, grabbed ahold of my cheecks rather hard and pulled my face to his mouth. Then sucked away. He tried to detach my nose as well. It was cute though. He can use and abuse me all he wants. I am okay with it. He is the only one that is allowed. I told him that, and he smiled at me. It is so cute also, watching him interact with my dad or Ryan. Logan found out that grandpa has something funny on his face that feels weird. It is his beard. And as for Ryan he just grabs ahold of his shirt and pulls. Trying to give him wet sloppy kisses. Too cute. This summer or so he will use Uncle Ryan as a human jungle gym. He can do this since the is so freakishly long. Plus Logan can beat up Uncle Ryan. He will let him. Can't wait until they start to wrestle each other. The anniversary of my mom's death came and went without any bad feelings. I stayed busy and didn't dwell. I was determined to not dwell. My dad even seemed like he was in a rather okay mood. Not extra moody like in years past. I hope from 2012 and on, her anniversary can come and go with no real issues. My health is doing good. Dialysis is going great and still one of the healthiest patients on dialysis.

Oh here is what Ryan got me for Christmas! That is all for now. My brain is fried. I had a very productive day. I made white bread in the bread machine, I just got done making banana bread, and also made dinner. Pfew! Now time to relax! Until next time! Jodes

Logan's Baptism!

Recently we had my nephews baptism. Granted it was a Catholic baptism, and I wasn't the sponsor. But I was the witness. Deep down in my heart though, I am his sponsor. Don't care what the church says. I think my brother and sister-in-law see in me that I go to church frequently, I am active in my church, and I try to live a God pleasing life. I do so with the very best of my ability. I know I am not perfect. No one is but God. That is beside the point. Anyways...... The baptism was very good. Mister Logan was napping when they arrived at the church. Then monkey awoke and was fussing a little. Got bottle, and was a happy munchkin. The sermon from the Priest was long and boring. Sorry to say that! Didn't really pay attention. Was looking at my nephew. The the priest said something that made Ryan's ears perk up. He said "there are things that Catholic Priests can do that Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian Pastors can't do." Ryan said this to me during church, but we discussed this further once we got in his truck. Ryan didn't catch what he said after that due to my nephew making noise. Basically Logan was telling the Priest to hurry up and get a move on the baptism. Once at the baptismal font with bottle in hand, all went great. Was very cute. Bottle got taken away, Logan just stared at my brother when he got blessed. Looking at my brother like "why did you take my bottle away, I want it back, I am hungry." Then he got his bottle back, and the priest placed on my nephew an embroidered bib. My nephew was cute. He pushed it away. Sheri (the other godmother) and I just smiled and laughed. No tears though when he got "dunked". Once he was all fed. he was a happy camper. He was getting burped and decided to talk to Grandpa Jim (my dad). He was sitting right behind my brother. Too cute. And Logan was not talking quetly. Once pictures were all done, we moved onto brunch. Yum! We went to Colonial House in Freedom. Very good buffet. If I get copies of pictures of the baptism I will post them in a later blog. I will definitely take pics either at Thanksgiving or Christmas (of course). Not sure if we will see him on Thanksgiving. I love holding my nephew. He is such a cute monkey. I can so tell he is a Kling as well. I looked at my baby pics, and some of his facial expressions match mine when I was that age. Some of them he looks like my dad. Just like I did. Still can't tell who he looks more like. I don't care. He is cute either way. Now onto more news. Our good friends Nate and Jill had a bouncing baby boy. Weighing in at 9lbs, 2oz, and 21 inches. Born Saturday 11/12/11 at 6:17am. Name is Ethan Eugene Nysse. He is such a cute monkey. Not a peanut, he is not small. He is 2 ounces bigger than my nephew, but matches in every other way. Logan was 9lbs even and 21 inches when he was born. We are Uncle Ryan and Auntie Jodie to three of the most amazing children. They are Olivia and Ethan Nysse, and Logan Kling. We are very proud of them. Also we are like an aunt and uncle to Haylee and Nathan. Pictures will be posted once I get or take some. Until then! Have a good day! God's Blessing! Jodie

What a weekend I had!

Well everyone, I am feeling 100 times better than I have been since being in the hospital over Easter. I can walk with no issues, sleep through the night, and not as tired as I was before. So my stint in the hospital was the cause of me getting pneumonia. I proved my kidney doctor's PA (physician's assistant) wrong. hahahahaha! She thought ademently that I had a blod clot in my lungs causing me to breath hard. I told her no it isn't that, I have no pain, and my chest doesn't hurt. I said it has to do with added fluid. I know this since when I got to the dialysis center, my nurse listened to my lungs. She told me that there is crackling back there. So I went off of that. I went to the ER right from dialysis, but no flashing lights. Thank God! With having a chest X-ray done, the ER PA told me that it was indeed pneumonia. Her and I both said that if it is a blood clot, we will cross that bridge if we have to. But her and I weren't sold on the blod clot issue. So I got admitted to the hospital with IV antibiotics. I was in the hospital from Thursday to Sunday afternoon. On Friday I was told that I looked 100 times better, and I felt the same as well. Just wasn't able to get all the rest I needed to recover. Which is what I am doing here at home. This week I am dialing back a little on all I am doing. I am passing myself so I don't over due it. Oh! While being in the hospital, there is this hospital doctor called a hospitalist. First off, before I go off about her. I will tell you that I had a chest x-ray, and CT scan of my heart (i think). Now with that, the hospitalist thought that since the rate my heart was pumping on the right side was high. (sorry if that is confusing) She thought I had CHF (congestive heart failure). I said no I don't have that. The reason my heart is like this, is because of the added fluid and pneumonia. She was not satisfied with this. She said that since I am immunosuppressed, have lupus, and on dialysis. That she needs to make sure. Whatever!!!!!!!!!!!! That is what I thought. Then that day, on Friday, I was visited by a Pulmonologist and heart doctor. Ugh! Those two doctors and I were on the same page. That all this has to do because of the added fluid I have. And if hitting me hard on Saturday for dialysis doesn't work, then we will cross the bridge dealing with my heart. Well, guess what? Taking off 6.5 kilograms (or 15 lbs) on dialysis of added fluid, worked. My chest X-ray from Thursday to Saturday improved. So I was right. Now on discharge I have to have a follow-up appointment with the Heart Institute, eventhough, I don't have anything wrong with my heart. But like my dad and Ryan said. Do this just to make them happy and to shut them up. Now with that dealing with the doctors, I was also at my wits end with the people in the kitchen. I was ordering food, and I always order iced tea with my meal. The lady on the other end of the phone told me that I have reached my max with iced tea. I was like "what?" I know I am over my fluid restriction. So what the french toast? The lady proceeded to tell me that iced tea is high in potassium. I was like no it isn't. I only have lipton or normal flavor tea. That is all. So I only got one glass instead of two. Ugh! I still don't get it. I wasn't able to ask my dietian today at dialysis. So hopefully I can ask her on Thursday. Right now with being home I am doing good, taking it easy, and getting a good night's sleep. I just have to take 2 pill antibiotics. All is better though. I am off my soap box. I will talk to you all later! Jodes

I am an Auntie!

Woo hoo! I am aunt to the most handsome little man. His name is Logan James. He is so precious. I know I am prejudice when it comes to him. But in all honesty all little one's are cute and precious.

I just wish when I see him or hold him that he opens his eyes to look at me. So far all he did was sleep. But I got him to smile, kick me (with a smile on his face), and massaged his head were he was in heaven.

Here is a picture of him. I am done rambling about him for now.



Isn't he cute? Done now! More pics of him to come once I get to see him next.

Jodes

Holy Cow I am 32!

Man were has the time gone. I approached 32 better than I did when I was coming up to 30. I was fine with 30, kept telling myself it is just a number who cares. Then the week of 2 years ago, I dreaded my birthday. Plus ALOT of CRAP was going on in my personal life. Seems like everything that could happen, did. But with my amazing friends, many tears, and God never leaving my side. I came through that bad storm of CRAP.

This year I had minor meltdown one day. I was touchy, hence pissy when Ryan would try to have fun with me. I would litterally bite his head off. He made me open up and I told him that I wish my mom was here to celebrate my birthday. Or just to talk to her. I told him, I know you don't understand what I am going through and that you think I need to "get over this." I said I will never get over this. I will just learn to move past it, learn how to deal. I also told him, I might have a few more meltdowns in the years to come. He said that is fine. I told him lastly that other than my good friends, he is the only one I can talk to about this. I don't feel right talking to my family about how i am feeling with my mom's death, cause they then turn it on themselves and how they are feeling. Not what I need at the time.

But Ryan gave me a big hug, and I cried on his shoulder. He said I know I may not understand what you are going through. Since you were closer, much closer, with your mom than I am with mine. I said I know that. I said I will try, but it has gotten better than the year she died. When I would cry with just seeing a commercial or Pastor speaking in his sermon or a song played church or on the radio.

I can honestly tell you I am better now. Now back to the topic at hand. My birfday! ;)

For all you who aren't on facebook, this is what Ryan got me.


Aren't they pretty? He asked me if I was suprised. I said nope. He goes then, "maybe I will stop getting you roses or flowers." I said, " then you will have one not so happy woman on your hands." I also said, I new I was getting roses, just didn't know what color I would be getting. That is the suprise. He goes, "Oh okay."

This is were we went for supper that night.


Very amazing food! I even got a $5 gift certificate for it being my birthday. Woo hoo!

This is the last installment of my birthday. Technically I did it for Ryan, but he says it is for me. Since I complain to him about not going to plays or musicals with me. So here we go. Hell must be freezing over! ;) hahahahaha!


We are going to the PAC Saturday afternoon at 2. Can't wait! Should be fun!

Talk to you all soon! Sorry for the minor vent in the beginning. I needed it.
Jodes

Health Update!

Well, my health is okay. My lupus is ever so active, hence why I am tired so much, have red cheeks, and a low grade fever. But I am used to it. That just means when I have a flare up, I did a little too much the previous weekend. It doesn't take much. I think doing dialysis and then being outside for a brat fry for 5 1/2 or so hours kinds kicked my butt. Plus, I am supposed to avoid sun, which is why in the summer I wear a lot of sunscreen except this past weekend. I just didn't put any on this past weekend, so I got a little sun on my face. Which I felt, and I think that caused me to have a flare up. I am getting better now though. I just have this cough that is producing phlem. The color is off white or clear. It was switching off all day yesterday and early today. Now it is mainly clear. Clear is good.

Also, my dialysis nurse said that she listened to my lungs. Like she does with every dialysis treatment. She said that my lungs are clear, and sounded like nothing was rattling around. She said it sounded good. So that tells me that this is not bronchitis or pneumonia. That it is either viral or a sinus infection. Not sure, but I am starting to feel better. Not coughing as much as I was. Which is nice. Maybe I can sleep at night, and then maybe my headache will also go away.

Other than all this going on. My overall health with the kidney and dialysis is good. All is good on that front. So there is nothing new to report. Until next time.

Jodes

Man can't believe how long it has been?

Sorry I have been lacking on updating my blog. I kinda had life come and bite me in the butt. Literally! Not sure how long, but before Easter I got really sick. I was sick at least for a month, and got worse at time went on. I remember the day I went into the hospital, I looked at myself in the mirror and thought. Holy Crap I look like s$#t! And wow I am pale. My legs were swollen beyond belief. Actually, I think I was swollen all over. I had so much fluid that when they did dialysis in the hospital. I lost in that week about 25lbs. I think it is a mix of fluid and not eating for a month.

The day before Easter my bestie Tanya took me to doctor's office first. The doctor saw me and said you need to go to the ER. She did a quick run through with me, I mean checking me over, and then assisted me into a wheel chair. Then I got wheeled out to Tanya's car, and got sent to AMC's ER. Sitting in the ER room, the doctor came in and did his thing. Once we got some what of a word on what was going on, Tanya called my dad and Ryan. My dad and Ryan came immediately to the ER. Once we new what was going on, and I was getting sent upstairs to a room. Tanya left to go home and spend time with her family.

That night I got a breathing treatment so I could hopefully start to breath better. By the time my dad left, I was having issues. Later that night, on Saturday, I couldn't relax and I was freaking out with what was going on also. So with me not being able to relax, they sent me down to the ICU. Once in the ICU, the doctor told me that if I can't relax, they will have to intibate me. Which is what they did. They knocked me out fully, and put a tube down my throat to help me breath. This way, as the doctor says, I am able to rest and get some sleep. Which I was unable to do before being admitted to the hospital. I slept throught Easter, was out for 12 hours at least. Then started improving slowly. Getting dialysis, and getting everything back to normal.

Now I am doing 100% better than at Easter. I can breath, not swollen, and slowly getting back to normal. My ankle gets swollen, but that is common.

My new weight is 174 and I am loving it. I just need to lose the part on my stomach. My goal is 150. I have 24 to go. I will get their. I also need to start walking more, and working out a little more also. I have dialysis T-Th-Sat at 6:10am for 4 hours. Hopefully sometime this month my dialysis time will get knocked down to a lesser time. Well, that is about all for now. I promise. Until next time! This is my update thus far.

Jodes

Tis the Season......

Well, it is getting to that time of year yet again. And I am trying really hard to soak in every Christmas moment I can. I just need motivation today. I am really not feeling that well, I mean my cold is kicking my butt. My throat is fine. I am just tired, sneezing, and stuffed up. I feel like I can't get a good night sleep. I try, but it isn't working. Ugh! As for the Christmas projects I have yet to finish. I just have to finish cutting strips on my SIL's blanket, thatn that is done. I also have to finish tieing Ryan's blanket, then that is done. Also, another thing I have to do is finish his scrapbook. I am not stressing out about them not being done. I swear I will not stress out.

Other than that, Christmas this year will be good. Ryan left this morning to go to Chicago for Christmas with his mom, sister, and sister's boyfriend. Ryan and his mom will be coming home Saturday in the afternoon. I am hoping either late afternoon or early evening. That way he can come out to me, see my dad, brother, and sissy-in-law. Screw it! She is my sister. Enough of the in-law part.

Tonight I will be going over to my aunt and uncle's house next door for a little family get together. Tomorrow is church, then it is CHRISTMAS!!!

Has it really been almost 2 years?

I keep asking myself that. I can't believe that it has been almost 2 years since my mom has died. I was thinking yesterday when I was at church, that going to Colony Oaks with Pastor, Ryan, and the youth was going to be hard. Well, it was actually good. I did okay! I did better than I thought I would. I helped the kids get comfortable around them. Since Ryan and I have had ample experience with that part. Thank you mom! So when we were singing Christmas Carols, there was this lady in the front row, that I swear reminded me of my mom. She just starred at me, and smiled. Really all I had to was when they looked at me, I smiled, and they smiled. We so brightened up their days. It made me feel good. Many said Merry Christmas to us. And loved seeing the kids there. We, mine and Ryan's group, raided the lunch room. Then walked down the hall we were assigned. I swear we get the same hall every year. But that is okay. We gave a card to those who weren't in the lunch room. And wow was it HOT in there. I had my coat on and my sweater. Ugh I thought I was going to pass out. It felt good to be outside. But I understand why they keep it so warm.

Now back on track. I am actually doing pretty good. I am just concerned about my dad. I could tell last night he was not in a good mood. See yesterday 2 years ago to the date, she went into the hospital. I only cried mildly thinking of that lady at Colony Oaks. But Ryan has no clue I had tears in my eyes. My dad is better today though. I am slowly decorating the tree with the ornaments that HAVE to go on the tree every year. Man we have a lot of ornaments. At least I was smart enough last year to put the ones that we always use, in one box. I am smart.

Christmas I think will be better this year. I hope. I am better than last year. Way too much went down last year. Ryan leaves Thursday in the morning to go to Milwaukee, get his mom, then head they head to Chicago for Christmas with his sister Renee. He will be coming home Christmas Day sometime, so hopefully I can see him that day. If not we will see each other at church the following day, then have Bible Study, have our Christmas, and then go to my grandma's for Christmas at her place with all my family. My BIG family. I have a new baby second cousin I can't wait to meet, and then another one on the way. His name is Isaiah. My other cousin is having a little girl. I can't wait to meet her also. I mean I can wait, I don't want her to go in labor early. I think she is due in March. Oh! And a friend of mine is having another baby also. She is due in January. Can't wait to meet that little one also. A new year with 2 new little people. What more can a person ask for?

I am really doing okay though! I just want to say Merry Christmas everyone! Hugs and kisses to all my amazing freinds and family. I love you all! And thank you all for always being there when I need it.

Love,
Jodes

Are you still there?

Who is all still blogging? I know Becky and I seem to be catching back up with that. But who else is doing it? So that is my question for all of you, and I can't think of anything else to say right now.

Jodes

Christmas......

here is my gift to myself onsale for $70 from $160. I am so proud of myself. I have not had a new coat in like 9+ years or has it been longer. Not quite sure. It has been a long time. I think since my mom used to live at home, and that was a long time ago.



I am so happy that I get a hood. Woo hoo! It is the simple things in life that make me happy. And I get to pick this us at the store later today or tomorrow. I think it will be tomorrow when I am in the area of the mall tomorrow. I am getting this in time for our road trip to Milwaukee on Saturday. Now I will stay warm. I get a chick coat. My Columbia coat will be retired, and that is a guy coat. Yes, when I zip it fully, it doesn't fit well accross the chest. I wonder why? ;) Stay tuned for future pics of my home-made gifts once they are done. I have 2 blankets and a scrapbook to finish. Oh and a blanket for January, but that fabric isn't bought yet. January is my bro's birthday and he is getting a blanket also. His wife is getting one for Christmas and so is Ryan. Ryan also gets a scrapbook also.

Tis the Season for Christmas!

I am happy to report that this year my Christmas spirit is coming back. I am so thankful. I mean I will remember what happened 2 years ago the weekend before Christmas for the rest of my life. That will live with me, my dad, my brother, my sister-in-law, and Ryan forever. But as a family we are getting through it. My dad and I aren't as close as I would like, but we are a little closer. He can read me like a book when something is wrong. I think my mom has instilled that in him. And my brother and sissy-in-law rock! And I can't forget the love of my life, Ryan. He has been through a lot with my family and I.

I know this is off the subject. But this just came to light for me this past weekend. Ryan told me that when my mom was alive, he would stop in by her and check on her. Now, can I tell you something. That brought tears to my eyes. My dad or mom didn't say anything to me about this. It touched me so much that I told him thank you and that he has no clue how much that means to me. I feel so blessed now! Just telling my girls that, brings tears to my eyes. He truly is AWESOME! Knowing that made me realize how much he loves me, my family, and makes me love him that much more if that is possible. I can't litterally put into words what that means to me that he did that.

Now back to Christmas. I long for the days that Ryan and I will actually spend Christmas day together. I mean going to Christmas Eve service together, and then Christmas Day together. That will have to wait I guess. I will be with my family this year, and he will be with his. Which is okay.

Honestly, my Christmas spirit is slowly coming back to me. I am looking forward to my family and loved ones opening their gifts. I am looking forward to seeing family, spending time with friends, and the Christmas Music. Also, this means our annual Christmas Tree picture will be taken. I am hoping that the tree is up this week at church, so we can have our picture taken in front of it. Then boom! Christmas card baby!

I swear I am done rambling. I have had caffiene so bare with me. Stay tuned for the next blog.

Love to all!
Jodes

Has it really been 3 months since my last post?

Oye! Sorry guys! Life kinda got away on me like it has for everyone else. I am trying now when I have the time, to blog. That is if I keep rememberin to. Everytime I think about it, I try to do it. I mean logging in to blog, but then I forget. I hate this Short Term Memory Loss. It has to do with having 3 transplants. Darn anesthesia (sp?). Not quite sure if I spelled it right.

So to recap the last 3 months. Ummm! Hmm! Were do I begin? Good question. Lets see. Here is a picture of the flowers that I got for my birthday. I predict next year he will get me 2 dozen. Ryan said he wasn't sure if they all would fit in a vase or if I had one big enough. I said I do, and if you get me 2 dozen. Just don't get it with all the greens and baby's breath.

So this is what they look like.



Basically it was just him and I celbrating my birthday. He took me out to eat at Five Corners in Freedom. We were the youngest coupel there. Going to a super club at 5 pm or so. Makes you sure feel young. Except for the bartender. So we ordered tenderloin for 2. Holy crap that steak was HUGE! I ate maybe a quarter of it, if that. Ryan ate the rest. Wow! Mind you we get salad bar, and fresh bread. And with the steak we got our choice of potato. I was stuffed, and so was Ryan. It was $29 for both of us to have steak, choice of potato, salad bar, fresh bread, and soda. So we did the math of what it would cost separtely, okay Ryan did. And we figured this was a deal. It was good also.

I don't remember what else happened in July after that. Now onto August. It was our annual Brewer Game with church. Which I tried my hardest to embarrass my BELOVED! But didn't quite work. Dang it! I tried to burn photos onto a DVD to create a slideshow. For everyone to view on the bus on the way down to Milwaukee. See it was his 30th Birthday. I showed him what it was supposed to look like. So needless to say everyone on the bus sang Happy Birthday to Ryan. His face turned red, and guess who he looked at as the instigator. Not me!! ;) Hahahaha! DUH! Who else would have the gutts to do this to him? I can name a handful of people that would do it, but I can also name some who wouldn't do it. They would think of it, but probably chicken out to do it. Anyways, Brewers pulled out a win. Then we saw Fireworks. Oh and did I forget to mention we got a free bag of peanuts. SWEET!!! Next year, I am bringing food for the ride down, bringing my own ranch for cheese curds, and my own peanuts. Oh and some bottles of water or soda. No more seltzer water for me at games. I had a bottle explosion. Not cool!

The following 2 pictures is our annual shot taken at the stadium. Thank you Gaby for doing this!

Ryan giving a goofy look at Gaby!


Awww! Aren't we cute?

After that, on the following Sunday we celebrated Ryan's birthday with a mini party. He went down the day after the Brewer game to go down to Milwaukee to meet up with his mom and sister. They went to the Museum and took him out to lunch. He came back on Sunday. Then my brother and sister-in-law came by. Gave me my belated birthday card, and gave Ryan his. Oh then my dad gave my sister-in-law hers. We are a slow family on birthday cards. They had to leave, my SIL had surgery, and was really sore. My dad stuck around, then some friends came over. We had a blast. Katie had to buy Ryan a birthday treat. They were going to get him a cake, but there was not one that Ryan would like except for Dora. That is what Katie said. So they got him popsicles with ice cream in the middle. What a sweet girl! I love that munchkin. I love my little toddler friends. They all make me smile and laugh.

I don't quite remember anything else that happened. Now comes September. By this time I have come up with my new career path. Which is child care. My main goal was to open an In-home family daycare. So I registered for my very first class. I am taking 3 classes to get licensed. I only need 2 to be state certified. My main goal now was to work in a center while taking my classes so I have those under my belt, and so I can also get experience in the child care profession. Then if I so choose, I can branch out and do an in-home family daycare in the future.

So now up to date today. I am working for friends of mine and Ryan's. They have 2 children. A 4 year-old and a 3 month old. I love doing this. I go to their house and watch them there. I am am doing this part-time with a minimum of 4 hours a day. I am also charging $4 per hour per child. Is that too steep? I mean they did call me at the last minute. They called me on October 10th and needed me to start October 11th. Yes they called me at the last minute. So I really couldn't think of an hourly rate on the fly. I did tell our friends that down the road if they want me to change my hourly rate. I will lower it to $3 an hour per child. They said okay!

So that is pretty much all that has gone on that I can remember. If anything substantial happens. I promise to let you all know either on here or on facebook. This is thus far all from the peanut gallery for now.

Until next time!
Jodes

Were has everyone gone?

Oh! I know were everyone has gone! It is summer, and so we all get so busy doing other stuff. That we forget to blog. Hmmm! Kinda like me! I am not ripping on anyone. I am guilty of it also. I get caught up in the game of life, I think about blogging, then I log on, and forget what I was going to do. So to me that is a strike out! Okay! I have watched way too much baseball this summer. I need my football to come back. Since the Brew Crew sucks, we have the wonderful T-Ratts! They are at least kicking it in gear to do better. Better than the Brewers. Now I am off my soap box.

I would like to say a huge WELCOME BACK TO WISCONSIN to everyone from Good Shepherd/Bethenny/Sheperd of the Hills churches that went to the NYG in New Orleans. Y'all were certainly missed. Especially our crew from Good Shepherd. My homies! ;)

Now onto my amazing gift from Ryan for my birthday. If you haven't seen on facebook at all here you go.



I am done in the peanut gallery. I will try to blog more, but can't promise anything. I will be pretty tired once my daycare takes off. I will be pulling in about 9 1/2 hours a day. Ugh! This will be my kid fix for life I am guessing. Which is good. Talk to you all later, I hope!

Jodes

Time sure does fly...

Man it has been a while since the last time I wrote in my blog. I honestly can't remember my last blog title or let alone when I wrote it. Let's see if I can remember what I have been up to.

Hmmmm! That is the million dollar question right now. First off my job with the US Census ended two weeks ago. Which is kind of bittersweet. I liked the job, but didn't like setting my own hours or dealing with pissy people. I had maybe a small handful of "challenging" people. But I worked my tail off. Then on Memorial Day weekend I joined the Johnson family and went to Minnesota/Wisconsin with them. I met Todd and Tanya's family. I had so much fun. I felt so welcome also. Like I was a part of the family already. Felt awesome. Sunday started VBS at church. Ryan and I are yet again doing games for VBS. But we only have games on Monday and Wednesday this week. I am also the picture taking person. See with the program that we have, there is this software that comes with it. It comes with a slideshow and script to follow to view pictures at the closing. So I am having fun. I love seeing God's children smiling and having fun. It also makes me feel awesome that when these kids see me day in and day out, they recognize me. Even after year after year which is kind of nice.

This week I am also watching Katie during the day while Tanya has VBS at Faith. Today her and I are meeting Becky and the kids at Regal for free movies. Today we are going to watch Charolette's Web, the one with real people. Tomorrow's movie is Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. And this is from that movie. "Holy crap balls!" I love that phrase. But I add batman at the end of that. I know I am a dork. Just look on facebook at the pictures I took in Minnesota. BIG DORK I AM! I am the Queen Dork and Ryan is the King. ;) Enough know! We have to meet Becky and the kids!

Jodes

What's going on at the Kling house?

Hmm! Well, first off I got a job with the government. I am a 2010 US Census Worker. It really doesn't sound as scary as it is. It really is good. We had a trial run in the field last Thursday. And it went good. Granted the wind sucked, but it was good. We realized, with our group, that windy days aren't good to do census work. Plus if it were to rain. That wouldn't work also. Since our census forms are filled out in pencil. Picture a piece of paper that is wet, and filled out in pencil. How does it look? Not good, right? So I am hoping to go out finally tomorrow afternoon. Provided there is no wind or rain.

So that is what I have been up to the past week. My dad is gearing up to go to Texas for his younger sisters wedding. Ryan has been extremely busy at work.

Onto new adventures for this summer. Stay posted on to how everything goes. Hopefully this will lead to a job opening after this is done. I have one possibility that I am pondering over. Not sure what to do. Need to talk it over with Ryan and see what he says. Then think some more, ask questions, and then think some more. Then hopefully decide. I have time so I don't need to make a decision until later this summer. Like June or July! So stay tuned. Sorry so vague, but don't want to spill just yet. At least not here.

Oh! My health rollercoaster is getting back on track. Losing weight, drinking more water, cutting back on soda, cutting out diet soda, and exercising is all in my new and improved me. I am doing P90X and walking. The exercise program is kickin my booty badly. I do modified moves and still break a freaking sweat. Then my muscles kill! I am thinking about doing the P90X Yoga right now! Thank you guys for the awesome support with everything. You all rock!

Jodes