Taxes, weight and other stuff

Finished up the taxes today and now we wait on the refund. Dave Ramsey says we should pay it all towards debt but I bet we will only pay off our credit card. We would like to continue renovating our kitchen a bit but we aren't getting a huge refund so we might have to wait on new countertops.

I think this whole Dave Ramsey approach to debt is good. I don't agree with everything he says (i.e. he is against whole life, he hates student loans, etc.) But I think that with some discipline Kristen and I can pay off our debt. But I think it will take some effort and the learning of new ways.

I have been trying to lose weight since November and since I learned I had type II diabetes. I have now lost about 23 pounds and have about 15 more to go. I am now at my pre marriage weight but would like to be a bit thiner. Kristen of course is smaller than ever. And today I wanted to show a picture of our little girl. I really love hanging out with her.

Just thinking....

Went to the doctor with Eliza yesterday. She apparently is all better and does not need any more breathing treatments. She still coughs a bit but her attitude is amazing. She laughs, smiles and never seems to get upset unless she is wet, tired or hungry. I think she is going to be a cool person.

Kristen and I were reading this book about marriage called "The Love Dare." One of things in it is that you can't say anything negative about your spouse to your spouse. You can't complain basically. I have a bad habit of complaining about stuff--the weather, poor service in restaurants etc. So I thought I would try not to complain at all. It was hard! I was afraid I wouldn't be able to speak.

I got to thinking about complaining or saying negative things in general. It is kind of selfish. It all concentrates on me--about how I was wronged and about how awful someone has treated me. Imagine if we all tried not to talk poorly about anyone. Even those that have done us the most wrong. Wouldn't the world be a much nicer place. Sadly most people love to say and hear negative things better than good. Seems like that forgiveness is something that heals us as much as others.

I hope to teach Eliza that she needs to concentrate on peoples' strengths and not their sins. If it wasn't for Jesus we would all be in trouble. That's all just some random thoughts on negativity. :)

today..

Today Eliza and I hung out while Kristen went to a birthday party with some friends. We had a pretty good time. She helped me with my dissertation and then I put her in bed. She wouldn't sleep. She has found out how to work her little light up fish tank music box. she pushes the button and watches the show and then pushes it again and turns it off. She chatters the whole time. It will be amazing once she starts using words to see what comes out.

She is feeling some better. Her cough is not as bad but there are times she still sounds like a smoker. In other news, my back hurts so bad. I think it is a muscular problem because it helps to stretch it but I have some kind of knot in it. School is going well. No definite word yet on my job for next year but I continue to receive encouraging signs.

historic day...

Eliza is sick. She has RSV. It is amazing the disposition she has. I stayed home with her today and we laughed and danced and sang and except for the occasional cough or runny nose, you could not tell by her attitude she was sick. I am so glad that she has such a great personality.

But today was kind of cool because Eliza and I started a tradition possibly where we watched the inauguration together. It was so historic to see this even happen. There is so much hope and excitement and I hope that he is able to get some stuff done and heal some problems. I think his election has done a lot already. As someone who likes travelling in Europe and is probably going back this summer, I am kind of glad they like us a bit better again. I do think that Bush has handled the transition with a lot of class. It must be hard to be replaced by someone with a rock star type excitement.

Well I hope Eliza feels well soon.

Eliza laughing...

we think she is really cute.

Eliza in her winter hat....

read the book...

Last night and early this morning I read the book by Rob Bell Velvet Elvis. I truly believe that it is the best book I have ever read. It is a book of theology and questions and imagination and so many other things I can't even explain. You need to go buy the book today and read it. If it doesn't change your life, you aren't alive. Truly, it is awesome.

Check it out. http://www.amazon.com/Velvet-Elvis-Repainting-Christian-Faith/dp/0310273080/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231606372&sr=8-1

Almost time to start the semester..

I have been going in and working and I feel like I have a big jump on the semester. I feel more prepared for this semester than ever before. I hope to finish up some stuff tomorrow and then spend Monday and Tuesday on the dissertation. Wednesday is the first day of school but it is just the hand out syllabus day so that is easy.

About half of my students are new so it will be fun to meet more students. I really enjoy the interaction and have become a lot more comfortable in the classroom. I lecture but I think I have a conversational style and I like to tell stories and make it fun (as best I can).

Still no word yet on my full time fate next year but I remain as hopeful as I can. At least things in the dissertation world are looking optimistic.

Today..

Well today was a good day all the way around. I met with my advisor in Knoxville and had the best meeting ever. About all she had to say short of some structural issues in my chapter was good stuff. She believes the article I am working on for publication shows great insight and will be published in a major journal. Plus she believes my dissertation will be published and even said that I should possibly consider the academic presses of Yale University for one. I was a bit blown away to say the least. Plus in my box at UT, I had a letter from Cambridge Scholar's Press in England inviting me to send a proposal to them about my dissertation for a publishing contract. I was like, I haven't even finished writing it yet. But they heard about the title of my work and sent a letter of inquiry. My advisor says that intellectual works on Elizabeth are sought after so I should expect this.

I Just want to finish the thing and think about publication later. But it made me feel like all my hard work is beginning to pay off.

Tonight I attended a rehearsal for TGIF :Thank God it's families at Grace Fellowship Church. I am the "credible" host for the Kidstuff program. I liked the cast and we seemed to get along well. I actually had some fun. I couldn't believe that the short amount of time we have been at Grace that I got asked to help. I still feel like we barely know anyone. But it is fun to help out again. I can't really imagine going to a church and not helping.

Well school starts soon and I feel like I am almost ready. I have a little more prep work to do this week but I am ahead of the game. In other news.. here's my little scholar.

a little news for the new year...

Well I have officially been diagnosed as having type II diabetes. However, it does not appear extreme and the doctor feels that for now I can manage it with diet and exercise. I have lost 19 pounds so far and have basically eliminated sugar from my diet. It really has helped me not to be so moody as apparently some of my moodiness was caused by sugar fluctation. I also got put on high blood pressure medicine which I was the only one from my family who wasn't. Now I am on the team. I hope to start exercising some when the weather warms.

I have been working on the dissertation and it is always discouraging for me to get a chapter back. I work so hard and it gets shredded. Well not totally but I wish for once my advisor would read it and say Oh my gosh that is awesome. She did write excellent a few times in the chapter but it needs some work. I so want to graduate.

No real news yet as for my permanent desire to teach. I have a possibility working for me which I will not go into full detail yet. Hopefully it will work out. I also was asked by the staff at our new church to help in their version of Kidstuff. THey want me to be the credible host which is the guy who basically plays the "straight" person against the "goofy comical" character. I was worried about being at a new church where I really didn't know that many people that I would not be plugged in very easily. Kristen and I also are going to do the Financial Peace University program at church. We do many of the concepts already but I have a feeling this will streamline our budget a bit more. Prepare for pain!

Not sure what we are going to do today,but I hope it is something fun.