she's got a whole lot of disco friends...

The last couple months have been a little insane and yet it doesn't seem like that big of a deal anymore.  

Young Chefs Academy is no more - we were forced to close our doors the first of August for financial reasons.  Most of you already know this, but there are a couple who don't.  Hah, like there are more than two people reading this!  Anyhow, I was very upset about it but for the first time in my life I didn't waste any time feeling sorry for myself.  I went out and put in about 15 applications in two days and then went on about 6 interviews the next 3 days - all at childcare places - and got a job at Primrose of Valley Ranch as a Lead Teacher of the Explorer's program.  It is literally next door to my house, I can walk there.  I started a little over a month ago and I can say now that I really like it.  Good things about Primrose: it's reminded me why I do not want to teach and why I LOVE recreational programs, they are very flexible with my schedule and will be willing to work with me as far as school is concerned, my supervisors are all very cool (with the exception of the owner, but he's never there) and my kids are generally good kids.  So all in all, this job change has turned out for the best. 

Also, I am for sure trying out for derby in October.  I am SO excited - I have FALLEN in love with this sport.  Everything about it, the strategy, the physical challenge, the history.  It's such a coming together of women.  I went to my first practice with the Shifters on Monday and it was so great.  I am so proud of myself for actually trying something new.  I have been known in the past to talk about doing something a lot and never following through, and this time I got over the fear of it not working out and just did it.  It's been great.  I cannot wait to start playing in bouts.  

On a final note, Kyle and I have decided to find new homes for the dogs and it has been so incredibly hard for me to accept.  We can't just surrender them to a shelter or a rescue group - we've decided to find new owners ourselves, and take however much time is needed to make sure they go to the right places.  I'm so sad about it, but I know it's for the best.  We simply do not have the time to dedicate to them that they deserve.  So, if you know someone looking for the most beautiful and loving black lab ever (Samson) or the most energetic and fun yellow lab ever (Benjamin) please send them our way.  I'm tearing up just thinking about this, so make sure it's someone who'll love them like we do.  And if you aren't sure, just give them my number.  If you need it, just ask.

Thanks for reading, this was a lot.  I hope you're all doing well.  Look for more regular updates lately as I actually have things going on that will fill these lines.

<3amanda

P.S.  If you're looking for something to do this weekend - ask me about the all day roller derby tournament Saturday!!

no tarjeta lento, no deje de signos, sólo una hermosa unidad.

Tonight we went skating with Sydney and the girls, and I had such a good time.  I'm really thinking about doing derby next season.  Try-outs are in October, and that would give me plenty of time to get in better shape and learn some basics.  I have been saying for almost a year that I need a hobby, something to do to meet new people and to have a good time, something out of the house and I think this would be good.  Josette said that she would try out with me if I did it, and so I'd have someone to train with.  I'm going to start going skating with Sydney once a week and hopefully I'll be able to get some nice skates sometime soon.  (I think it may be a birthday present, but I'm not sure... we'll see.)  

Work has been so crazy, it's making the summer disappear.  I also have to register for school soon!  I just found out that I could have been working towards my associates in teaching, which I would've loved to do, but now it's like if I do that it'll take even LONGER for me to have my associates.  

I'm starting to get a little tired.  I'm going to go lay down with the puppies!

I believe in Love

I'm doing much better than the last time I blogged.  Kyle and I are talking about starting a lifeGroup at our house (which is affiliated with LifeChurch.tv)  and I'm really excited about that.  We went and visited the Fort Worth campus this past weekend and while it wasn't anything fantastic, I really feel like the messages are relevant to what Kyle and I are living right now.  So, if you are looking for some kind of "church" that doesn't require you to get outta bed on Sunday morning, let me know.

Work is still super busy, and I'm working on some new music.  I've started two new songs - one about a divorce that some friends of ours are going through, and one is a love song to Jesus.  We will see how those turn out.  

Sarah may be moving out of the state and that makes me a little sad.  Honestly, it's not like we spend a lot of time together, so I'm not like torn up about it - but it's just the realization that we DON'T spend that much time together. Her living in another state wouldn't be THAT different than her living here now.  It's exciting for her though.  I suppose we're all going to move on eventually either way.  Windy may end up in NY for her job in the next few years, Sydney will move up to Frisco (which, honestly, is Oklahoma, seriously..)  We'll move down to Austin and make new friends, but it will never be the same as the people who I've known forEVER.

This turned into a lame entry.  Jesus is doing good things, so I thank Him for that.

Hope you all are doing well.

and the home of the brave

Hope everyone had a safe and fun 4th of July.

I cannot believe You are angry or unjust/You've done nothing but have compassion on us

so be near me when I've given up, be near me.

I'm so tired so this won't be very long.  It's cold in my house tonight.  I want to get out of my head for a while, just relax and have a day where I don't have any worries.  Maybe those days just don't exist.  As easy as it is to say I wish I could go back to my childhood, teenager years or even right before I moved those times all had their worries as well.  I'm not unhappy, please don't mistake my tiredness for unhappiness.  I'm just not passionate about, well.. anything I guess.  I feel like I'm in a dry spot with God that I've been in for a while.  We need to find a church but yet I don't want to put forth the effort or open up to God's people enough to hear where we should be.  It just takes energy and I just feel tired.  When I play my guitar I feel that I'm boring myself.  People have such hard lives, why is it hard for me to enjoy my easy one?  My biggest concern is paying off a credit card and paying for college, big deal.  That stuff will get taken care of, at least I have a house and food and people who love me.  I wish I could notice this enough to make me not so bored.

This is the silliest blog.  Those lyrics spoke so deeply to me tonight.  "Be near me when I've given up, be near me."

I just want to feel the Lord  again.

down on my knees and now I'm praying for patience

Kyle and I just got back from a pretty long walk with the pups. We were gone for just a little over an hour, and I'm exhausted.

So, both of our cats are gone now. I don't even want to write about it too much because it'll just make me cry again, and I'm pretty much all cried out. Sabi left two weeks ago, and Chibi got out last night. There is obviously a chance that Chibi will be back tonight, but since Sabi still hasn't, my hope is pretty low. I'm just really sad about it because those are my babies. The dogs, they're cute all but my cats, I just love them.

Hmm. Friday night I'm hanging out with Windy, and I'm excited. It's been a while since I've had some girl time. I really miss Michelle.

Alright, time to watch Semi-Pro with Kyle and the dogs. Please pray for the safe return of my cats, I know it seems like such a silly thing to pray for, but it would really make me happy if at least one of them would come back.

i'm better off with You around.

I'm going to try to blog at the end of every day, but I'm sure that won't last long.  Tonight, Kyle and I went and saw Stomp, and it was phenomenal.  It was like a drumline on crack.  I've seen the movies and such, but it's completely different in person.  Exciting stuff.

Work has been really busy lately, I'm working all the camps, plus field trips and some birthday parties.  Other than that, I haven't really had much going on.  We walk the dogs, watch TV, sleep and work.  I wish I put some time aside to play some music, but by the time I get home I'm drained and just want to relax on the couch and do nothing to stimulate my brain.  I'm hoping to make some new friends in the next couple months, and try to spend some more time with my neighbors.  It's tough being back, but being back on the other side of town - it's just like I'm still in Japan sometimes.  I hang out with Windy a lot and that's really cool, she's a good friend.  I just miss Megan a lot and I wish that mine and Sarah's friendship could be the same - I guess we've just grown apart.  

I'm really trying to work on my relationship with my dad.  I guess I just mean let one develop.   It's hard, I have a lot of resentment that I just have to let go.  It's not helping me to hold on to it, and I could be missing out on a great experience if I hold on too tight.

Okay, time to go to sleep, Chibi's calling my name.