ANSWER...

The question actually ended up being a semi-trick question for me. I did a little research and the answer I had ready to go today was wrong. The question would have more accurately been "Who promoted Billy Beer?" While Angie was really close with her "answer"...the proper response would have been Billy Carter - Jimmy Carter's brother. I love a Presidential family that loves a good brew!

All blogs in one!

So because it's a short work week it seems like time slips faster...I haven't had a chance to get on here and blog...SO, I am combining a Ten on Tuesday, Wacky Wednesday Trivia, and Thankful Thursday post all into one! Aren't you excited?...

This last weekend the whole family was in town and before I headed out we had a little Memorial Day Cookout at my house. Here are some pictures from the event! It was so fun to spend time with my parents, brothers and sisters....and of course my little AVA!

Grandpa and Ava, playing in the yard! I think they like each other!

She likes to feel the grass!

Maybe the happiest/cutest baby ever!


Couldn't pass up this picture!

This past weekend was Mike's surprise weekend...I guess some of you still don't know what we did. On the way to Indianapolis, I told Mike that we were going hiking in Brown County the next day and then to the NCAA Hall of Champions...THEN, at dinner on Saturday night I snuck off to the "bathroom" to give our waitress our tickets to the INDIANAPOLIS 500 (that other stuff was all a lie!) Mike claims that he believed my original fake surprises, which made me soooo happy. So we spend Saturday at the race and had a blast!

At my previous job, I helped to start a preschool that is just finishing its first year in session...I poured my heart and soul into that project and it's probably one of my proudest God-centered accomplishments. When I left that job, one of the hardest parts was walking away from the little ones and the preschool. A few weeks ago, I was invited to their graduation ceremony which is tonight. At first I was so excited, feeling proud of the teachers for completing their first year, and so proud of the students for successfully preparing for kindergarten...I was pumped that they thought of me and that I was going. Yesterday, I started to get a really anxious feeling about it and not sure I wanted to go. I haven't been back to the church for a while and I am not sure I will be able to keep it together. It's hard when you have worked with kids because you have to put on a front that you are happy when you are breaking up inside...it's one of the reasons I couldn't continue to attend there, I felt like a fake. But at the same time I would never dump my emotions on the little ones. I am nervous because at this point I will be going alone -- I just decided about twenty minutes ago, that my attitude at this event (and in my whole life, really) is my choice. I am going to choose to feel the first emotions I felt about this evening. Proud, Excited, and in love with what God has done with my hard and heart-felt work. He is Good! Congratulations little ones for graduating! :)

Wacky (not so much) Wednesday Trivia: Who made Billy Beer?

Thankful Thursday

1. Trees. I realized on my way to work this morning that most of them have their leaves now, I drive through some really pretty spots on my way to work.

2. The weather! It's gorgeous out and is supposed to be throughout the holiday weekend. The secret trip should be a blast!

3. My roomie, Michelle! She is such a sweet person and is always accomodating me and my pets! We are a rowdy bunch sometimes! Love ya, M!

ANSWER...

Duck Billed Platypus is right. And had I known that RJ would comment I never would have asked this question. Also note Kristi with the most correct answer, busting the spiny anteater out of nowhere! Good job everyone!

Wacky Wednesday Trivia

What mammal lays eggs?

Ten on Tuesday...

1. I went to Detroit last week for a conference. Hence the no blogging thing. I do really love to learn new things about my job, especially since I am so new. But I am SOO glad to be back!


2. I would love to put more pics on my blog but right now the camera and cords are not near the computer...maybe next week, I will get better at it!

3. Last Saturday night was Cinco de Matto, an annual birthday party for my friend - you guessed it Matt. My best friend from college, Lindsey, met Matt and Belinda when she was teaching in Fort Wayne. This was the third annual Cinco de Matto -- and it was a blast! So good to hang out with Poop (Linds' long time nickname).

4. You are still trying to figure out why a pretty princess has such a dirty nickname aren't you? Well I will explain, one night after hours of studying (seriously, we were nerds) Linds and I were talking about how boys have weird nicknames for each other which are typically degrading and gross...she expressed her desire to have such a nickname...so, Poop it is! She tried to call me Pee for a while but it was just weird. Most people in my life know her as no other name...I love my Poop (you know that I mean Lindsey right?)!

5. My least favorite subject in school = Math. What I am doing all day at work lately = Math. BOO!

6. On June 2nd the Women's Ministry group that I am on is hosting a Ladies Night Out. Join us at Creative Fish to have some fellowship, paint a little pottery, and probably snack a little. Let me know if you want more details!

“Yet, O LORD, you are our Father
We are the clay, you are the potter;
We are all the work of your hand.”
Isaiah 64:8

7. At work I am producing our campaign video...today I saw the first cuts and they look great. Well they do to me, hopefully they do to the boss too!

8. My sister is pretty!

9. At the conference last week I got to meet Chris Gardner and Dolly Parton. Chris Gardner lived the movie Pursuit of Happyness. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie yet, get up out of your chair and go now. Seriously it is a great movie and what an inspiring man! He said that in reality his son was only 14 months old when they were homeless....can you imagine? I can't! Did you know 30% of homeless people have a full time job that they go to everyday?

Dolly Parton was a slightly different story. She is exactly what you would imagine her to be, AND she described herself as "trailer trash" I though that was pretty hilarious!

10. It's been a long week and weekend but I am getting excited for Mike's suprise this weekend! :)

ANSWER...

Yes, Angie, you are correct! That would be me who got completely and totally messed up all week with the days. I do know that today is Friday..WOOHOO!

Thankful Thursday

1. Surprises! I am so excited to be planning a surprise for Mike. :) I am really not a good surprise-setter-upper or a gift-giver. Usually I cave shortly before the delivery and just tell the person what it is. I am hoping for some accountability on NOT telling him before May 23! Only 15 days!

2. Oprah. Did you get that email yesterday that you could print off coupons for free KFC? I guess Oprah was offering free lunch to anyone who printed off these coupons, I wasn't sure if I believed it at first. But, well Mike did print it off...and we definitely had it for dinner last night for free. It was good, but the fact that we went through the drive thru and the total on the screen was $0.00 made it DELICIOUS. So, yes, I am thankful for Oprah.

3. Her.

Wacky Wednesday Trivia

Who went all day yesterday and thought it was Monday or Tuesday?

Hint: This may or may not be the reason you are seeing the Wednesday post on...well not Wednesday!

Ten on Tuesday...

1. It's starting to be consistently nice outside. This I love! What I don't love about it is that Tucker thinks it's really fun to play outside ALL the time. Now don't get me wrong, I like that too but when it's 6:30 in the morning and I need to get ready for work, I really would prefer a quick outing...

2. This Saturday is Kosciusko County's Annual Stamp Out Hunger Event. United Way teams up with the US Postal Service and area food pantries to collect food to stock the shleves. IF you would like to participate and you live in Kosciusko County hang a bag of food on your mailbox before the letter carrier comes! I have worked on this project and will be on the radio later this week to promote the event. Last year this event raised over 12,000 pounds of food!

3. Katie moved in this weekend and it's so nice! I love that we have all seemed to just fit right in together. And it's especially fantastic to save on rent each month!

4. It's Cinco de Mayo. Not that it means a whole lot to me...BUT, Mike and I are going over to the Marucci's for some fajitas and maybe some cervezas! So Celebrate I will! Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

5. I have a little quote book that I look at most days and today is no coincidence that God spoke these words to me... "God has mercies to give, and He intends to give them to us, those mercies are not broken pieces or someone else’s leftovers…God has bags that were never untied, never opened up, but set aside through a thousand generations for those who hope in His mercy." John Bunyan

I have needed to hear those words for a while now. It's amazing to me that I didn't even know what would satisfy my aching heart, but the lover of my soul knew. And today I am open and receptive to all the mercies and blessings He has planned for me!

6. You just said you were wondering who the cutest baby ever was?

Ava says "It's me!" And I couldn't agree more!

7. Seriously, the radio game problem. I won an Arby's gift card just about 3 minutes ago...it's starting to get a little embarassing! And then I think oh wait who is gonna A. not have to pack their lunch and B. eat Arby's for free. I have my diet stricken fingers crossed that I have no choice but to get a Beef and Cheddar with curly fries. :)

8. I ordered my next Book Club book on Amazon and I am anxiously awaiting its arrival. Captivating by John somebody. Honestly I can't even remember really what it's about. I just can't wait to tear it apart like we did the first book. I love to over-analyze just about everything but especially books!

9. I am planning a surprise for Mike over Memorial Day weekend. I know for a fact that he reads this so no details will be given. It's gonna be SUPER FUN! We could both use a little time out and this is gonna be just that! You will get to hear all the details in just a few weeks! I just love to have surprises - I am actually terrible at keeping them and I can't believe I haven't told him the plan yet.

10. You should look up the new Lady Antebellum song on itunes, I Run to You....it's soo soo soo good. My new favorite song! :)