Happy Birthday!

My nephew, Brenden Hal Rodgers, is ‘ONE’ TODAY!! I can’t believe it! Where on Earth has the time gone? Feels like yesterday I was just meeting him! 

Today My mother, siblings, and I went to the Zoo with Amber, Kellyn, Brenden, and Kellyn’s sister Hannah. We had a Ball! Brenden didn’t really understand what was going on, but he sure did like the Aquarium! That was probably the only place he was really quiet!:) Afterwards we went to Golden Corral for dinner, where we met up with my grandparents and Kellyn’s Parents. Poor Brenden was exhausted because he decided to be difficult and NOT nap at all today at the Zoo! Needless to say by the end he was being nasty! And if was time for bed. 

After Dinner, Amber gave him a piece of Chocolate cake with a candle. And Let’s just say my nephew sure loves his chocolate

It’s my Party and I’ll eat Cake if I want to!

My mother tells me the other day ” You sister called! Brenden took Two steps on his OWN!” 

OH NO!. He’s starting to walk. Please pray for all of our house hold items:) He can also stand for a few seconds. Any day now he’s going to be everywhere, and while I’m looking forward to it, I think we are all scared about it!!:D 

It has been a Privilege to watch this little guy grow this past year, and I’m excited to watch him grow for many more years! SO All I can say right now is

Happy First Birthday Brenden, Auntie Loves you SOOO Much!!!!

Cake Boy!

It’s my party and I’ll eat cake if I want to!

May 2012

It’s been a while since I’ve written and a lot has been going on! Grandpa’s surgery went really well! He is officially Cancer free!!! So THANK YOU all for the prayers!!

I’m officially moving in to my apartment! YAY!! I’m excited to have my own place! I’ve applied for Timberline Bible College, and If I get accepted I’m not sure I could go this year, just because $11,000 dollars is a lot to come up with in 3 months! But I am totally pumped! The Apartment is perfect for me, two bedrooms, one bath, and my own washer and dryer! 

I will officially have the kids all the time starting Monday! I’m a little nervous! Three months together all day, everyday eek! I love those kids, but it will be a learning experience. Granted I’ve watched them on a few Saturday’s and during their week spring break, but they always went back to school! I am determined to make it a great summer for them and we WILL have fun:) Jacob is in baseball so we will be attending games! Shelby wants an American Girl Doll- EEK! So we will be busy trying to collect money for that!:)

I finished Finals a few weeks ago, and I did end up dropping my Music Appreciation class. It was AWFUL! The rest of my classes were great:) High school graduation happened on Sunday! I’m a little sad because some of my favorite people will be leaving:( I shall miss them very much!! They know who they are!;)

I ended up seeing a specialist for my hands. Great news, it’s NOT Carpel Tunnel!! Bad News..he’s not sure what it is! SO I get to see another specialist June 19th to do a nerve test, and then a Follow up with Dr. Trinh, the following week. I just hope we figure it out!

That is it for this Post!!

In Him,

Sam

That Place

I’m in that place right now. The one where I don’t know what exactly what I’m supposed to do with me life place. In high school I had a plan-I was going to actually graduate high school, then go off to Crown College, get a degree in Music Ed, start my career, get married, have kids, and basically live happily ever after. Where most kids weren’t sure what they wanted to do, or where they were going to go, I knew. I had my life figured out!! So I graduated, got accepted to Crown, then was super upset that I couldn’t go because I’m broke! So all my plans got put on hold, because I had to go to community college, and now that I look back on it, I’m glad I did it! I didn’t understand how hard College actually was!  While I was in community college I changed my major to children’s ministry. Then I decided that since I was going to be stuck in Red Oak for another year I was going to move to Shenandoah to attend Iowa Western, so I took a semester off to move, and get settled in my new job ( same job just transferred). I then decided that I really didn’t like the new store, and since I was in Red Oak whenever I wasn’t working ( because they gave me like three days a week) I decided to move back. During my semester off I decided I didn’t feel called to do children’s ministry, so I changed it to Worship Arts. Second semester comes, and here I am almost at the end of it.

As you know I have another job as a nanny, so I’m making enough to move out of Brett and Heather’s house, and get my own place which is behind the kids I nanny. And while I’m pumped to be doing this, there is a part of me that is sad. I’m 20 year’s old, and I’m still stuck in Red Oak. There is no place for me here, all my friends that are my age are off at college or having kids. I’m just here. I find myself asking ” When will it be my turn God?” I WANT to go off to school, meet some new people! Start living my life! My Life currently revolves around work, school, and children. I’m ALWAYS around kids, now please don’t think I’m complaining, because I love kids, I especially love the kids I’m around, I just wish I had friends my own age to hang out with.I just want to go shopping with a friend, with out them having to make sure it’s OK with their mom and dad. You know friends that don’t get grounded any more? ( No offense) I MISS going to Sunday School with young people ( again no offense!) I don’t exactly want to go to an adult Sunday School, Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they are great classes! But it would be nice to interact with people my age.

And once again, I don’t know what I want to do with my life. Right now I’m thinking Nursing. and No, not just getting my CNA, I mean grabbing my RN and anything else. And I Do NOT want to stay here and be a nurse. I would move somewhere else, and work in a Children’s hospital or Children’s ward in a hospital. I DO NOT want to work in a nursing home. Old people make me sad! They are soooo sweet!!:)

All I know is that I need God to tell me what he want’s me to do with my life. I know that I haven’t been listening, because I’ve been stubborn. And Obviously that has gotten me know where since I’m STILL HERE! I need to quit telling God what I’m going to do, and do what He want’s me to do. SO with that being said…

I’m putting Timberline back on the table. I’ve always wanted to go to Timberline, but I couldn’t justify spending that much money for a year, and not getting Financial help. And to be honest I was not down with all of the ” Outdoor stuff” I’m not an “Outdoorsy” person, ask any of my friends! To Me hiking or mountain climbing, or rock climbing or being out side with bugs, or any of it is NOT my idea of FUN.

But when I start thinking about it, how can I not like it, if I’ve never REALLY tried it? I mean if I go to this school I won’t really have a choice, but maybe if I do it, (because I have to) I might really enjoy it. Maybe if I do all of that, I might feel more secure in my self. IF I can survive that school, I can do anything:) And I CAN survive that school because Phil. 4:13 tells me I can.

So Timberline is back on table. Who knows? Maybe if I go there, I will find myself, and I will figure out what it is I’m supposed to do with my life. I’m done trying to decide what I want. I need to do what He wants.

So God, I’m raising the white flag, I’m surrendering all to you. You know where I want to be, and I’m giving you everything. I’m trusting you now Lord.

-Sam

It’s been a while!

OK! So Life has been busy! which is why I haven’t written in a while, and I also think “What can I write about?” Well my friends a lot has happened in a few short months. And here we go!:

First off I LOVE my job as a nanny! The kids are FANTASTIC, and so is my employer!:) Each day I get more attached to them, as they get more attached to me. Going off to college is going to be harder then I thought. These kids are impacting my life in a crazy way and I thank God everyday for this job. They all have welcomed me in to their little family, and I am honored to be part of it!:) The kids are crazy, fun, naughty;), and hilarious!! It’s never a dull moment with them!

JUMP is coming to an end:( April is the last whole month, and I’m sad that it’s ending. I hate this time of year because I miss the kids terribly! BUT VBS is coming up and it’s going to be a BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My sister and her husband, have bought a house! yay for them!! It’s a great house where their family can grow, and my sweet nephew has a TON of room to grow:) He will be ONE in a month!! Hard to believe! he’s already pulling himself up and he said “dada” Stop growing!!! 

We also found out this month that my grandpa has Prostate Cancer. I’m not going to lie, it seemed as if the world stopped for a little bit. For a few weeks the family was a little on edge. But come to find out that it’s only in his prostate and the doctors can do surgery and remove the prostate and all the cancer!! Everyone is feel a little bit better about this! April 27th is the surgery date. I’m ready for that chapter in out lives to be over! So please keep him in your prayers!

Ahh yes, the Carpal Tunnel/Tendinitis. Well that shot did work, and my hands and wrists haven’t hurt hardly at all! Still having some issues with them but the pain is essentially gone. BUT sadly The past couple of days my thumb has hurt, which if memory serves me correctly this is how it started before. So we shall see where this goes. 

School is going great! I HATE my Music Appreciation class!:) The title is a lie, You would think this class would help you appreciate music, but instead it makes you want to cry, throw your book in a fire place, and hide under your bed. It’s all about classical music, which is fine! I like classical music. But it’s a hard class, and the teacher really is no help. So I’m looking forward to this class ending. Other then that everything else is great. 

My brother FINALLY got the call from his recruiter. Josh is now enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. I’m so proud of him!! He leaves for basic in September, and I have no idea what I’m going to do with out him! My brother and I are only 18 months apart, and are really close. He always knows how to make me laugh, even when he irritates me. I’m really going to miss him!

I’m changing my Major again. But I’m not going to say to what, until I know the Official answer. Yes I will still pursue music, but only as a minor. I felt God telling me that He is speaking, and I need to be a better listener! So as soon as I know that this is what I’m supposed to do, I will fill you guys in!:) 

Well, other then getting a REALLY cute purse that was originally $100 dollars and getting it for $24 dollars and another REALLY cute purse that was marked down to $10 dollars, That is basically all that’s been happening in my life currently!!!!!! 

I’ll update soon:) 

In Him,

-Sam

OH and HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADISON WHITE!!!!!! You are one of my FAVORITE 11 YEAR OLDS!!:) Love you!

Super Nanny!

I talked to my mom on the phone Tuesday evening, and towards the end of the conversation she said something going on Wednesday. So I asked her what she had, and she told me she and Jo ( my sister) were interviewing to be “babysitters” part time for a newly divorced woman who was moving to R.O. with her children. She works at one of our local pharmacy’s and needs someone to watch her children after school. So I said ” Oh alright!” My mom is in college, and doesn’t currently work, so she is looking for a small part time job so we can get a house. So I woke up on Wednesday all excited because I didn’t have to do anything or go anywhere ALL DAY! I was going to do some school work, watch some movies, read a book, play some piano..I mean I had the WHOLE DAY! The week before I had worked everyday, and they were crazy hours. I’m house sitting in Shenandoah, so I had to drive to RO on Monday to work, and on Tuesday was in Omaha ALL DAY, So I was pretty excited for Wednesday to come. I slept in till about 11:30–yes it felt nice!– As I got up my phone rang and My sister Amber said she, Kellyn and Brenden  were coming over to do some laundry and to hang out. They live in an apartment so the laundry is shared. So I said ok! I cleaned up my mess from the evening before, and as soon as I was done Amber was there.  It wasn’t long after they showed up that my phone rang and It was my mother. She asked if I could come to RO, and I was hesitant because I just wanted to hang out for the day, so I asked her “Why?” and that was the best question I asked!

My mom told me that she had went to that interview and  found out the woman was actually looking for basically a Nanny. It paid well, but she wanted someone full time in the Summer.  And as the woman was telling my mom about her children, my mom felt God telling her that I should apply for this job. Mom stopped her, and told her about me, and that she was going have me come down. My mom started telling me how the kids are 12, 9, and 6 and how basically they need someone like me. My mom is very structured!! Seriously, she can get a house clean, have the kids homework done, and everything! Where I’m kind of like “let’s play, then homework, then play, then etc.” I’m just more easy going and right now that’s what those kids need. Dad is gone, he is staying in Glenwood, and they have to leave their school, their friends, their normal. Right now they need play time, and hugs! My mom is great with teenagers..THEY LOVE HER! It’s insane! But Kids and I, well we get along best!!:) And it helps that I know where they are coming from. My parent’s aren’t together, in fact my father lives in California.

So I went down and met with the woman And she basically told me everything I needed to know! When you talk to her you just know that her children are her world. And it’s not easy giving your world to someone else. The money is great! It would mean I could cut back my hours at Fareway, and quit my other job. I wasn’t the only person interviewing, so I was praying “Lord, If I’m supposed to be here, then let me get this job” L told me she would call me to let me know if I got the job or not. So I went home, and I waited. 

at 8:30 that evening L called me and told me she would love to give me the job of being her nanny if I was still interested! I haven’t been that excited about a job in a LONG TIME! She asked me to come down on Thursday to meet the children, and I of course was way excited! I am getting paid to play with her kids basically! OH and make sure they do their homework!:)

I got to the house Thursday Morning and was introduced to J, LU, and S. J is 12 , LU is 9, and S is 6. I spent the day going to their new schools, and meeting their new teachers. I was even more excited when S introduced me to everyone as her nanny:) that made my heart jump:D

I have toyed around with being a nanny for a long time. I kind of am for the Whites, but I guess I’m almost like a sister to those girls:) But I thought when I go to Crown, I could try to find a job as a nanny. So this is a great opportunity. So far the kids are great, though I have only spent a day with them, I start on Monday. I believe we are going to have a great time together! I am way excited!!!!!!!!!! Thank you Lord for this Job:)

Brenden

In on May 22nd 2011, the sweetest, most handsome, adorable baby boy made his way to the world! My nephew, Brenden:) He wasn’t supposed to be here till June 2 ( I think) BUT the little stinker decided to break my sister’s water at broke my sister’s water 2 weeks prior to May 22nd! Amber was sent to the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, where she stayed for 2 weeks! Because we all live an hour away from Omaha, I ended up staying with Amber a lot, so that her Husband could go back home to work.  It was great because Amber and I had not connected in a long time, so to have two weeks to do so, and to bond over the baby was awesome! The Hospital was able to stop Brenden from coming, because it just wasn’t safe at 32 weeks,  BUT they did expect him to have to go to the NICU because he was a premi. I didn’t envy Amber at all, she wasn’t allowed to leave her room. It was a little ridiculous if I may say. She wasn’t having contractions, they stopped him from coming, nothing was happening, but she wasn’t allowed to leave the room? FINALLY after being in “Room arrest” and about 3 days before Brenden was born, a doctor came in to look her over to make sure every thing was fine, and we couldn’t help but ask just one more time. We asked him if we could at least take her to the cafeteria. His response was AWESOME! He said we could get her out of the room, even allow us to take her out side and soak up some sun! He didn’t agree with the fact that she had been stuck in the room for 2 weeks.

May 22 in the early morning they Induced Amber. I was SO pumped because I was going to meet my little nephew! IN fact, I had a shirt made that says ” Wicked Awesome Aunt”  Amber was in “Labor for many hours, actually too long, and she was only dilated at 4cm. Finally it was decision time. Amber wanted to have a natural birth, but the doctors wanted a C-section, She just wasn’t progressing enough. I felt bad for Amber, I knew this was the one thing she wanted to have, a natural birth. The Doctors really didn’t give her a choice however.

At 7:27 p.m I became an auntie officially:) because he was a premi, we didn’t get to see him right away, but I got a glimpse of him as they pulled him by in the incubator. let me tell ya, ALL OF THAT HAIR!! oh my goodness, and right then and there my breath was taken away, for a slight moment as I saw him. they took him straight to NICU, and I SO wanted to go, but Amber first, Kellyn ( brother-in-law) was with Brenden. We visited Amber, then when she was able to go, we all went down, And I couldn’t believe how beautiful he was! Even with tubs all around him!

Finally here

After he was in there for a few days, then got moved to a crib. He was doing amazingly well for a premi. After the first night they were able to take off his breathing tube in his nose. Then Amber and Kellyn were finally able to hold him, then everyone else was too! As for me? It TOOK me FOREVER to hold him! I always missed holding times! It was ridiculous! I had to go back home, because I had to work, my mom and siblings stayed in Omaha with Amber. I went to work, but couldn’t get out fast enough! I was determined to hold my nephew, one way or another! SO at 10:00 at night I drove back up to Omaha, and went to Amber’s room. She then went with me to the NICU to see the little guy. And for the first time since he had been born, it was just Amber, myself, and Brenden. And for the first time that night, I got to hold the most precious gift God could give.

Auntie holding nephew for the first time

Yup, I was pretty smitten! That little boy has stolen my heart! It’s amazing. Brenden is now 7 months old! Amber sent me a text yesterday saying “BRENDEN’S A CRAWLER!” Man where has the time gone? seems like yesterday I was just snuggling him, and now he is crawling, eating baby food, trying to take the bottle out of my hands, etc. He has the most beautiful Blue eyes! Well as of right now:) Hard to believe he will be a year old soon! I am one proud Auntie! I love walking in to a room, and seeing him smile at me. I love playing with him and hearing his laugh or screech.  haha! He certainly makes me want to be an auntie that’s involved in his life. Not one that he hears from occasionally, a card for his birthday, or Christmas. I want to be that aunt he calls when he excited about something, or that aunt that he actually wants to visit, and Amber doesn’t have to make him come see me haha.

I truly feel blessed, and honored that God has allowed me to be part of this little guy’s life. and that Amber, allows me to:) I believe God has used Brenden to restore our family, to bring Amber and myself closer again. I believe Babies are one of God’s greatest Creation, which just helps make my belief in him stronger! Thank you Lord, for my sweet nephew:) I just love him!!:D

December-7 month's old!