Beautiful moments & jolly old bus drivers

It was tough waking up this morning at 6:15 for work. It was even tougher being happy and cheery all day as I greeted  members coming in to the YMCA. But something happened today that really made it worth it.

Let me back track to last Christmas break.

There is a bus route that runs by our apartment and around campus. It's called the Bronze Loop. We get on it every morning and get off it every afternoon. You tend to learn who rides the bus, where people get off, and you get to know the bus drivers pretty well (whether they are grumpy or quiet or nice or jolly). We had a particularly jolly bus driver who always was happy in the morning. It didn't matter whether it was sleeting ice or if he was almost done with his shift. Every time you walked on the Bronze Loop, you saw Mark's (the bus driver) bubbly smile and you couldn't help to smile with him. It really made my day and I enjoyed seeing him every morning. I mean bus drivers can impact a lot of people's lives. They are often times the first person we see in the morning and the last person coming home from school. If they are happy, you tend to be happy. If they are grumpy, your tend to be a grump. Well, Mark really made everyone happy. (Mark is this happy man with a white beard and large in stature -- he would be a great Santa Claus).
I wanted to show him how grateful I was for what he does and how well he does it. I made him a small Christmas ornament out of blue and red cardstock paper that looked like the bus he drove with the license plate reading "Mark's Bus". On the back I told him what a wonderful bus driver he is and that I appreciate all he does for us. I wrapped it up and tied it up with a little bow. Very small, very simple. I waited at the bus stop the morning before Christmas break and gave him this small gift. And I never saw him again...

Until today. Mark came up to me asking if there were any basketball games going on (his grandson is on a team and unfortunately there weren't any games today). I recognized him immediately and asked if he drove on the Bronze Loop once, and he did! We had a nice little chit chat and then him and his wife left. About two minutes later he comes back inside and asked me:

"Are you Vanessa, the one who gave me that bus ornament?....I cannot tell you how much that meant to me. No one has ever done anything like that for me, something so heartfelt. You made me feel like I was making a difference in the world, or at least here in Lafayette. I really have been praying that I might run into you so that I could thank you for that. I have never been as happy as I was when I saw that small little handmade bus...thank you..."

Often times you forgot what a small thank you can mean to someone. What a beautiful and wonderful moment that was today. It reminded me how much small things like that can impact another person's life. I hope to continue to find people like Mark and thank them for their happiness. Everyone needs to hear those words in their lives.

Lots n Lots of ideas

On the way home from Iowa, the mister and I had 5 hours to concocted brilliant ideas. There was one in particular that we latched on to. I start a photography&design business so I can make lots of babies (in the far far future). All I can think about is this idea and the possibilities it brings. I named it PEARL photo&design and am specializing in senior portraits, portraits, homecoming & prom portraits, and photo invites. I am very, very excited. I'm thinking I should drop out of school even........JUST KIDDING. I would never do that....

Anyways, I cannot believe that we are HALF way through November and prepping for Thanksgiving. Where the heck is time going?? I seriously cannot believe this. I need to start doing my eating exercises NOW to get ready! We're gonna bump up our meals to 4x a day (which doesn't include our usual midnight snack). Thanksgiving, here we come!

Friends & Fam & Tramps

That's what our entire weekend involved.

One of Curt's good friends was married this weekend, Hurray! 

It was great to see his Urbana crew again,

they are all such great guys. 

After dancing a few songs, eating delicious foods, and talking to fun people

(namely Curt's old school counselor, Mr. Furrer. He is a VERY funny guy. He definitely loves the Isenbarger family)

We ventured over to North Liberty, Iowa.

We ALWAYS have a great time there 

& are so glad we were able to make it this weekend for the Primary Program.

But these pictures illustrate what our Sunday morning look like over at the Coleman Casa: 

It was TRAMP time for us. 

Trin & JC definitely know how to get my heart rate goin early in the morning. 

We also played the best Wii game invented:

Wii Party.

Loads of fun games that all ages can enjoy. 

If I had a Wii, I would be playing that game right now. 

After the great primary program,

Sarah made her famous CAFE RIO and it was delicious. 

Thank you Sarah,

my belly was happy the entire way home.

Curt & I arrived home at 10:00 tonight,

I just finished up some studying for my exams tomorry,

and now I'm pooped. 

Time for bed for this girl.

We are alive & well. (Carli this post is for you)

I have had several inquiries about whether we are alive -- and yes we are. We are more than alive, we are partying NON-stop. Every day we are doing something. I seriously have not had time to sit down and relax (except for today...which was much needed). The mister and I are very very busy right now. We both are in an ASTRONOMY class. Love it. It's turning into our FHE every Monday. School is SO much better when your best friend is with you. We also are taking Stat 301 together, and that helps out a TON also. Curt is very good at math and has helped me quite a bit. Love you Curty. I have also been stressing about my schedule because I need a B or higher to get into my major -- BUT it's looking good for now. Let's all cross our fingers & pray every night, alright?
We still have been doing couples volleyball (love it so much) every other Friday night. We get to see all of our besties. It's been getting a little too cold to play soccer, sooo we've actually started swimming a few weeks ago. It was rough at first, but we're getting there. (Curt may be having a reunion with his H10 swimmers back in Urbana in Dec. We need to get him in shape if he is about to compete!) What else? Curt's still a baller every Wednesday night and I'm hittin and spikin and bumpin with my girls every Tuesday. It keeps me sane for sure.
Besides that, we are doing the same old, same old. I am working at the beautiful downtown YMCA facilty. Ya'll should come check it out. Curt is lovin PFCU. He finally has another male working with him! That is exciting. Caleb just returned from his mish in Brasil and was recently hired as a teller at the 26 branch. We like him a lot.
Oh ya, we've also been attending a gazillion weddings/ receptions. Apparently October/November is the time for vows to be shared. This weekend we will be heading over to Urbana, IL for one of Curt's friend's wedding reception (and then heading out to IOWA...FINALLY....WE CAN'T WAIT). This reception will be the SIXTH reception we've gone to in the past SEVEN weeks. So crazy, but so good!

More info about our weekend to come...

Boston and the 32 hour drive.

The moment we recieved the invitation to Rob and Karen's wedding, we have been counting down the days to this trip. The original plan was to caravan with Craig, Lynn, Grandma, and Jenny. At the last moment, Craig and Lynn weren't able to go. Pooma was needing some special help. Bless her heart & her hip. So, the final count for the trip was Jenny, Grandma, Curt & I. We left Thursday night and knocked down four hours. We stopped in a teensy town in OH called Belleville. Funny story. Right when Grandma got in her room, she plopped on the bed. Face down, arms and legs spread out. She was pooped and ready for bed.
Friday, 6:22 am. Curt was a motivated man, and drove through OH, PN, NY, and MR. I really have no idea how he did it. But he did and we arrived in Maryland at 6:30, just in time to make it to the party that night--which was incredible. The Weyman's had a band, wonderful food, great people, and beautiful weather. The pre-wedding party was perfect.
The following morning, Curt, Jessica, & I found this adorable little breakfast nook called "In a Pickle". It was extremely good and fast. I recommend it to anyone passing by the neighborhood. We then got dresses and all pretty for the ceremony.

Paul & Karen were absolutely beautiful and so so happy. That is why weddings are the best. You are surrounded by beautiful, happy people. Afterwards, we all hopped on a bus and headed over to the country club. There, we relaxed and sipped on gingerales while listening to the cutest old man playing a keyboard. We were very impressed. We then headed to the dining room. Curt, Jess, and I were placed at table five, the party table for sure. Grandma and Jenny were at the sophisticated table. The meals were fabulous. We started with a squash soup, then had the choice of chicken, salmon, or vegitarian. We all had the salmon entree. It was to die for. But what was to die for x2 was the dessert! Ahhhh...My mouth is salvating this very moment as I think about the delicious cake and mousse. Gosh, I wish Liz could make me those cakes every morning when I get out of bed. My days would go so much better....

We will definitely need to go back!

Apples&Blessings

For one of my classes,

I had to make a chiasmus. 

I found this more difficult than I thought it would be. 

A chiasmus uses two sentences with an ABBA pattern. 

It's found in the scrips all the time. 

One of the most known chiasmi (?) throughout the scriptures is:

"He that findeth his life shall lose it,

And he that looseth his life for my sake shall find it. "

Simple enough, 

I can do that too.

YA RIGHT.

 I seriously couldn't think of anything except:

Instead of thinking of what Purdue can do for you,

Think of what can I do for Purdue.

Pretty lame,

and I ripped if off of a Presidential slogan.

THEN it started coming to me, 

it was rough at first,

but once I got the hang of it, it wouldn't stop.

Here's my best 2.

I can't tell whether she is the apple of my eye,

of if I am eyeing her apples. 

&

Ask yourself, is this a blessing in disguise,

or perhaps something disguised as a blessing. 

I am very proud. 

Updates from Us.

First of all,

I started working at the beautiful downtown YMCA facility on Monday. 

I love it.

There are brand new machines, weights, treadmills, everything. 

There are mirrors everywhere,

lots of lighting, 

and the locker rooms have wooden lockers. 

Classy.

My basic job is to make people happy,

answer phones, 

receive payments, answer questions, 

and smile. 

So that is very exciting.

I'll be working there about 25 hours a week. 

Also,

I have been addicted to a new series. 

These books,

by Chris Stewart are sooo good.

I don't even want to try to describe it,

because I won't be able to good enough.

I highly recommend it. 

I just finished the fourth one out of seven.

And for Curt,

he is doing great in school and loving his classes. 

Work is going very well,

but most importantly,

Gears of War 3 came out yesterday.

Oh,

he was very excited about that. 

He played it for several hours last night,

and is actually playing it right now. 

It's supposed to be like the best XBOX game ever made so far.

He thoroughly enjoys it.