Can you hear me now?

Okay, so I'd like some input here... I am looking at getting a new cell phone, possibly even switching carriers all together. Here is what I'd like to know from all of you...

#1 - Who is your service provider?
#2 - Are you satisfied with your coverage and plan?
#3 - Do you get good reception in rural areas?
#4 - What kind of phone do you have and are you happy with that?
#5 - Is there any other information you can tell me regarding cell phones?

I have Sprint right now and have been pretty happy with it. My only concern is that I don't get the best coverage in rural Minnesota. If I end up subbing, I'd like to know my phone will work in the smaller communities around here.

I am looking into getting a family/shared plan with my sister for sure. We might also be adding a third phone, but that's up to my friend. The one that looks the best to me right now is Cingular, but I'd like to gather some more information before I make any decisions! Thanks much!

Today's Tidbit: I have sent 703 text messages in the last week... I think I have a problem!

Oh how the years go by!

I am having WAY too much fun scanning in pictures for my brother's slide show! If you are coming to his open house on Sunday, you'll get to see all of these and more in a lovely video presentation!

Summer of 1989 in Keystone, CO

Summer of 1997 in Denver, CO

Christmas of 2002 in Rochester, MN

Summer of 2003 in Breckenridge, CO

Christmas of 2005 in Rochester, MN

Today's Tidbit: Beth spent her first night as my new "roommate" last night! Party time at our house!

I got to see Cody Bauer in person today!

I got to spend about 12 hours with Laura today and we had a blast! We did a lot of talking, which is always good! We even laid out under the stars talking tonight and she saw two shooting stars!

We also spent some time walking around aimlessly at WalMart... We looked at lots of different things there... We started looking at the prepaid cell phones, then headed up and looked at plants... Next we looked at clothes, then hats, then flip-flops, fabric, and belts. I think that pretty much covers our WalMart visit...

My other highlight was that I got to see Cody Bauer in person tonight... We do not only exist in the blogging world any longer! Haha!

That's really about all I've got for right now. I am exhausted and I need some sleep before I have to get up tomorrow and go to Beth's graduation ceremony! I am so excited about the boredom that is about to commence ;)

Today's Tidbit: I left Miss Laura's house at 1:30 tonight/this morning, that's really early for us!

"You know... Sometimes when you cage the beast, the beast gets angry!"

My sister and her roommate, Andrea, came down to Rochester for this afternoon. I met up with them at Victoria's for lunch. It was a very good lunch, but then again, Victoria's is always good. Our waiter was very, and I do mean VERY, talkative.

After lunch we headed up to Chateau to see "X-Men: The Last Stand." Not typically my kind of movie, but I liked the first two, so I went along for the ride. I enjoyed it quite a lot actually. I do not, however, think that the film makers intended it to be a tear-jerker. But, alas, I cried on three separate occasions during the movie! I think it was three, maybe only two, but I think three. I sometimes think that I am way too emotional for my own good!

I worked this evening. My first group was only 14 kids. I had promised them we'd play a game today because they did so awesome on a difficult set last time. We played swimming Monopoly (I made the board myself). Then, we had about a 15 minute break and our second groups came in. Cali has been in KY for the weekend and John, Paul, and Steve are all up in Canada for the swim meet. That leaves just Matt and I to run workouts. Well, Matt had 11 kids in his late group. I only had 3! I couldn't believe it! So I worked with them on breaststroke for about 45 minutes and then we combined groups and whipped out the monopoly board once again. It was very easy, and pretty fun!

Today's Tidbit: All of the carpet in my basement was pulled up today. I now get to look at cement and wood for the next month... Or as long as it takes for my dad to figure out the plumbing for the new bathroom...

"I love the recklessness of faith. First you leap, and then you grow your wings."

I think I am starting to realize the seriousness of the situation I have gotten myself into...

About a month ago, I resigned from my job. I'm not actually done until August... Both because I wanted to get the kids through their competitive summer season and because I can't really teach in the summer even if I wanted to. It is finally hitting me that I will have no source of income come August 6th. Holy cow! What was I thinking?!?

Well, I know what I WAS thinking. I was thinking that my job has made it very hard for me to keep my priorities where they need to be. I was thinking that I never intended to be a swim coach for the rest of my life. And I was thinking that I love teaching and I have missed being in a traditional classroom setting. That's what I WAS thinking. Now... I am not so sure...

This whole situation has taken such a huge leap of faith on my part. And I'd be lying if I said that I'm not a little scared and/or worried. But I keep reciting Bible verses in my head...

"Be not afraid nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." - Matthew 21:22

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." - Matthew 6:34

"Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done." - Philippians 4:6

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need." - Colossians 1:11

So now I'm just trusting in God to bring me through this. I will keep praying, keep sending out resumes and job applications, keep trying to find a position somewhere. And I trust that God will provide for me, no matter what the outcome may be.

Today's Tidbit: My mother woke me up this morning... Kinda creepy to be sleeping in MY bedroom at MY house and wake up to random noises in the kitchen and then my mom telling me to get up and help her and my dad move furniture! Haha!

Owatonna Pops

Well, I guess it's time for me to cave in and try this blog out! I'm kinda a MySpace girl, but we shall see!

So... Yesterday was awesome! I left work 6 minutes early and booked it to Owatonna for the high school pops concert. I had so much fun! Watching Matt dance around and sing Shrek songs... Great times! And, then, of course, Laura's disco was just amazing! It was so fun to watch! It looked like they were all having so much fun! Why didn't my high school do anything cool like that?!? Well, I suppose they might have... I don't remember! Gosh, I feel old!

It was fun to see Anna and Ann too. After the concert, Laura, Matt, and I went and had ice cream. I saw Katie at the ice cream place too. Oh how I love hanging out with Matt and Laura! It was a blast!

Today's Tidbit: The word tidbit means "a choice morsel, as of gossip or food."