Justin

Goals for myself and my family of 2008

-I see a possible job change coming up this year. I am praying that I go where God leads me in this. That means me either going to school for nursing, or get that job my father in law keeps talking about me getting with the company that contracts me out now.
I have applied to a local community college, and we will see where it goes! I am praying that the Lord will guide me on this one! I don't know where God will have me!

-I am trying to just let go! I hold too much onto things. I often try too hard. I take things back from God, and I get all anxious. My goal is to live full of God's love in everything I do. I heard Neville Johnson say that when you live in God's love things about you change. Your whole body changes. Your Atoms even change. The things you tried so hard to change on their own change. Just being in God's love is healthy for you. And I am going to hold on to that. I need to loose weight, and if I am in His love, why do I have to worry.

-To thoroughly enjoy my children and wife. I am distracted from them all the time. To take time and enjoy life with them. And to release distractions!

-To release things that are holding me down! Debt and weight! These are the things I am committing to the Lord! I am giving them completely to Him! They are His now~! I am going to faithfully follow! Being Debt free would be huge! I am looking forward to it. To loose well over 100lb. Too. That is and has been a desire of mine for a long time.

-To read more.

To recap:
    Be full of Love and full of God! I am sick of being a phony! Sick of stepping backwards!
    Debt free! I only want one master to be indebted too!
    Loose the weight!
    Focus

As my wife mentioned! My little Naomi is a funny girl.


Kathryn said "I am gonna go jump in the shower" Naomi said "Mom! Don't jump in da shower! you might fall!" She takes it literally! Just proves how innocent our little ones are! I love it! And as Kathryn said, that is just one way we know she is listening. And Kathryn explained what she meant by the "jump in the shower"

We had a wage negotiator today! What a joke! I mean we did well, but the process of negotiation is silly! I imagined it was where we talked our reasons as to why we wanted this much money, and they talked about the reason why we don't get it. But nothing like that. Not at all. Its a big show!
We start high and they act shocked, they come back super low. They talk loud about or proposal, we talk loud about ours (we are in separate rooms and we leave the doors open for some reason) and we up the ante and talk about a labor charge or 2 that we are looking at pursue. And we go back like this for a whole freakin day! Gotta love it!
And we finally agree at something in the middle!
Is this even normal? Get a grip! I don't like it one bit! They have a jerk for there side, we have a jerk for our side, etc. I hardly talked today. We let our "jerk" do all the talking, and we just sat there supportive as ever. They do things like add little key words, or mess up on their math for the money they offer. We catch them, and correct them and fudge it for our side, etc.

We could have ended this at the very beginning, but we decided to go till about 4pm in the afternoon. And came an agreement that I think is fair.

We are getting a 4% increase adding a step to the wage scale for those who have been here 8 years. So some guys who have been here will get a 7% increase because we are implementing the step. All around a fair deal! Just the process was STUPID!

And it was an interesting week. On the way to Steward training, I stopped to get gas. This lady recognized me. And once she said her first name, I understood who she was. She was the woman who married the guy who they thought was my dad when I was first born! She reintroduced herself as an old friend of my mom's and as soon as I heard her name, I knew who she was.
I lived in this woman's house for the first 3 or 4 years of my life! I grew up with her children as they were my brother and sisters! And then I was uprooted, and moved to who my dad who raised me from that time on. And practically never to see this woman again.
The last time I saw her was at my grandfathers funeral, and that was the first time in almost 18 years. So it had been another 5 years since I saw her last atleast.
She was so nice. She seemed like she was doing well. She is doing a scrap metal business now, and gave me flier on it, in case I had anything. She even donates 10% to the woman's shelter. I thought that was neat.

The flier had her cell number on it, I wonder if she would want together and talk. I would really like to pick her brain, and get a better understanding of where the heck I came from!

Really! Its a blur! I mean after my mom wanted to abort me, I doubt it was easy growing up, unless it was totally with this other woman's family. I have questions about John, the guy they thought was my dad, also about my grandfather, and grandmother. She might be one of my only connections to learning about them. I still wonder sometimes. I look like John! So its kinda weird. Anyways... I took seeing Marlene to be a highlight of my week!

LOL Nudged you all who haven't posted in more then a week. It ranged from 211 weeks to 1 week.

Thats 4 years! I guess I should give up on that one. But hay worth a shot.

WOW oh Wow. God is good to me! Thank you Lord!

3/4 of my items sold! Including my phone: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280245529002&ssPageName=STRK:MESO:IT&ih=018

For the buy it now price! I just have one more thing to sell. And it will sell. Its another wii game. I had 3 for sale and 2 sold and my phone. My new phone gets here Thursday! Kathryn will have to be home for this delivery so she can sign for it. I am excited! I sold my phone for more then I bought the new one for. That means more funds for vacation. And with the money I am selling the games, I am buying the new Madden 2009. Since its the annual game that I actually buy. I will probably buy that from somewhere online so they can mail it to me, since I been so busy, and won't be able to pick it up.

Watched the fireworks last night from my house. One of the nicest things about living where I do I don't have to go anywhere to see them. It gets really busy around here on firework night.

I was so tired I was going to go to bed before them. The girls were so excited though and Naomi ran over to get me when they started. I thought it was so sweet, she didn't want me to miss any of the action. I couldn't resist watching them with my girls.
While they were going on Abigail was asking about the sky and if God was gonna clean it when the fire works were done. And she asked a number of other questions about God as well. It was a nice conversation. Then she asked me about hercules and I got to address some of the cartoon myth. So all around it was a nice conversation.

Yesterday I ordered new phones for Kathryn and I. I ordered the new ATT tilt, which is the upgrade to the phone I have now. For Kathryn the Sony 580i walkman phone that she picked out.

The phone I am writing from is on ebay along with some wii games that we don't play. So if your interested in an 8525 phone or wii games, look me up on ebay Justin860

I feel at peace with all that has been happening lately. Definatley a peace I didn't have yeterday.
Today I am back at work and it a beautiful day that the Lord has made. I certainly am rejoicing on the inside today.
Thank you Lord for your peace and joy that you have given me. I feel oo good about things. Your provisions are always enough, you even provide peace as a provision. And I thank you for it. I ask for favor and wisdom as we move forward this week. Let your hands be in the negotiations, guide us and let your widom do the talking through us. On a personal side let your love guide my family as well as wisdom. Show us how to live for you.

I love these videos. They make me laugh!

Blending the new iphone.

http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/12/will-it-blend-iphone-3g-edition/

Who needs viagara when you can have watermelon.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25511199/

Oh that is on more cool thing. We took the cheap rooms on the cruise with a possibility of a guarantee upgrade. And we were bumped from a 1A to a 5A. So instead of an interior, we got a room with an obstructed ocean view! I will take it! The rooms we are in are $180 more then we paid for ours! Pretty neat. And we are near the elevator.

So its been one of those seasons, where I haven't felt like posting! Not sure why I get that way, I just do. Life is good! I am enjoying it much! Summer has been a little busier. Now Kathryn is done with work for the summer. So she is happier, and so are the kids, since they do not have to go on the bus.

I am back at work today, 1 of 5 days that I will be working in a row. This is my overtime day, so its a good day. I will go over hours late in the week. We are capped at 72 hours in any sliding 7 day week. Also, there is a 68 hour admin hold. And they won't go over that. I am at risk of going over both. But I informed them of that, and that is my only duty. Supervision is to ensure I don't go over it, and release me early one day this week. Its a big deal to go over the max of 72, and not as big of a deal to go over 68. But both need approval and a good reason. Best part of this is that I will have 2 days off as soon as I finish my work week. And only have the possibility of over time on my last 2 days. And one of those days is 4th of July, which I will not voluntarily work since its my dad's picnic.

I feel good. Still working out, and walking. Trying to loose weight. I still have 108lb to loose. Lost 15lb so far. And I need to stay on track with my eating. I do better while working because I just don't bring more food then I actually need. And that helps me. I found these neat things called "hold me overs" made by the south beach diet. They are drink mixes that have fiber and protein to help against splurging on junk food from the vending machines. They actually taste really good too.

Still can't wait for the cruise!
I log in to carnival and it always tells me how many days I have left! And the current count is 64 days away! Woohoo.

The girls are doing well@ All growing fast and stuff. Its so much fun!

Maybe more to come later

Dave Mathews is still my favorite musical artist!! A listen to christian music 94%, and the other 3.5% is Dave, and the other 2% is Nil Lara, and the last .5% is the radio. 

I saw this neat picture that Abigail had drawn, it was on notebook paper. It was of flowers and she had put faces on the pictures. Around it was the sky and the sun. I just thought that was the neatest picture I had seen. I asked her if I could have it and she said no, because she had to finish it first. Yesterday she met me at the door with the picture in hand and gave it to me. He wanted to draw another picture on the other side. She doesn't like to waste her paper. She draws so well, its fun to see what is on her mind and how she puts it on paper.

As I observe the girls, it seems one is very artistic and the other is musical. Naomi will sing along to anything. I love to just watch them in what they enjoy. I hope to be ablee to cater home schooling around what they enjoy.

Here is an article of 101 straight days of...well you know. sex.. Not sure how that could be done.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25073096/

So this is kirin76  posting real quick. I asked Justin to post this yesterday I thought...

I am in a sim game called Hajinc. Its an online horse game where you can create, train, show and breed horses and ponies to compete in Hunters or Jumpers shows. Its lots of fun and right now we are having a referral contest. I am only 185 clicks away from getting a prize. SO if you have a min, can you please, just look at the link. YOu don't have to join if you don't want to even though it is fun to play and totally free. I appreciate your help in winning a prize!    http://www.hajinc.com/clickit.php?affid=30227

So today was an all around good day! It was nice to have a day off during the week again! I am back on my regular 4 days on 4 days off schedule starting tomorrow! That means I work from Wednesday till Saturday evening.  Not too bad. I don't mind it. I missed it even. 

I got to hang out with my girls today, in one of the hottest days we have had of the year! We did some hanging out at home. We didn't a heck of alot. We went swimming again once Kathryn got home.  So that was good.  It was one of those day were it was really refreshing. I think we have had as many hot days as we had last year. I don't remember alot of hot summer days last year.

I took care of all the vacation stuff. All paid up! I remembered one thing. I haven't paid for the camping trip yet! Need to come up with $120 more for the lot fee. But we will make it work. Not too too big of a deal.

Was looking at the school schedule this fall, and realized there is a Wednesday night math class. I might be able to take it. I will really cash in alot of favors and favor in general by the end of the next semester. I guess that is what its for. I am praying work will allow it! I will commit to trading as many days as I need to to get out and be able to go to the classes.

I am excited now! Our August 29th vacation is paid for in full! This includes Cruise, excursions, bus tickets to cruise boat, and travel insurance.  Its all done! Now I just need to must up enough spending money!  Its nice to be done with all that. It will be our first vacation alone, and will last more then 2 nights! Something we have never had with kids or before kids. We were too poor when we first got married to go crazy and get a real honny moon! So this will be nice to get away just the 2 of us and not have to worry about anything! It will be odd not having the kids around, but they will be in good hands with my Aunt and Uncle.

I find it funny that Carnival offers trip insurance that is more then double the cost we paid, and we got more services out of it. I will remember to get the insurance first thing next time because other services become available like "cancel for any reason" and "cancel for work reasons," but those are only for people who book insurance within the first 15 days of the initial deposit on their trip.  We went with AIG travel guard which was really reasonable and has great CS. I am not sure how you all feel about travel insurance, but it seems like a good idea. Gives a little piece of mind.

For excursions, we opted for

San Juan  - (9 hours here) There is alot to do within in a 10 minute walk of the pier. We don't have a huge amount of time there, so we will Fort San Cristobal and Senor Frogs (http://www.senorfrogs.com/menu/index.htm) .  And there is some shopping close by as well. No excursion needed here.

St. Thomas - (11 hours here)  Christmas Cove Sailing & Snorkeling Adventure  for a more indepth look ( http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionDetails.aspx?portcode=STT&excursionname=Christmas+Cove+Sailing+%26+Snorkeling+Adventure&excursioncode=434047&price=59.00 )
St. Thomas is our longest island. We actually will be there 11 hours. So we can shop in the afternoon depending on how feel or kick back back at the boat.

Tortola, BVI - (7 hours here) Virgin Gorda & the Baths, click here to see more ( http://www.carnival.com/ShoreExcursionDetails.aspx?portcode=TOR&excursionname=Virgin+Gorda+%26+the+Baths&excursioncode=435013&price=79.00 )

Its looks pretty neat! The most encouraged thing to do in Tortola. I am excited about this one the most.



Not a long time on each island, but it will be fun! I am most excited about getting away and just being able to relax!!!

Today I feel accomplished!~ We got alot done today. We rearranged furniture, and cleaned out the basement!~ And it was 95 degrees today. A very hard working day. Feels good thought.

To be a little more concise we rearranged the computer room. There is no longer a bed in the computer room. It has an entertainment center in there now. Which is more of a shelf unit with storage. Since we aren't putting a tv on it its not really for entertainment. Instead of a bed it will be a seat/couch. Which was a crib. But it was one of those that converted to other things. And the other thing is what we are using now.
Its so much more wide open and usable space. Its not so crowded, and I bet we can even get organized in here too.

We mixed the furniture around in the girls bed now too. No beds are on the floor anymore. They are all up on frames. The trundle bed that was in the computer room is now in the girls room. So guests get to stay with the girls because that is where the pull out bed is. Actually we would be more accomadating then that if we had stay over guests. But its rare we do.

Also got the last air conditioner in. This one is the 285lb one! I had to get help and instead of waiting for my brother I just asked the neighbor to help me. So now we are ready to stay cool.

The basement was smelling like cat pee, partly because its so moist down there and the cat box is there too. So we moved almost everything out of there and put it in the garage. Since the garage has more dry space. So that is done. And next big project will be to actually scrub down the basement! And keep it dry.

Alot went one! It was a good day. We went swimming before the thunder came at Kathryn's dad's house, since he called and invited us over. It was good to quickly refresh and move on.