I miss my brother. We are going up to Cedar Campus today for a retreat with IV. I've never been there without Josh there. Ryan and I are staying in a cabin that Josh, Amy, Ryan and I usually stay in. No Josh to build fires. :( No Josh to see early in the morning reading a book and drinking a cup of coffee in the lodge. :( I miss him.

So, yesterday after Bible study some of us went over to Kaya, which is a coffee shop for those of you that don't know. I ordered a kiwi-strawberry italian soda. So, I'm sitting at the table enjoying my drink and engaging in conversation. As I take a drink from my soda, I feel something to through the hole of the lid into my mouth. I quickly reach into my mouth. What do I pull out?....a fly! I spit the remaining liquid on the table and on the floor. Krista and Trisha were very kind to get me a new one as I sat in awe at how gross it was. At least it makes a funny story to tell!

My first application for a "real job" in the "real world" was sent out yesterday. It is kind of unsettling not having a CLUE where Ryan and I will be in 3 short months, but I am putting my trust in God and His timing. I have been in this situation before and He was faithful and I have full confidence that He will be faithful again. The application was for Brookfield Zoo, since they have 2 positions opening in the department I interned. I'll keep you posted!

I am official...I joined International Marine Animal Trainers Association. I got my fun little membership card in the mail on Thursday. Highlight of my week. Maybe I should get out more.

It looks like brother and sister are doing the same thing for a little $$$. No, not prostitution, sickos. I started tutoring for zoology. The hours will be inconsistent from week to week. It just depends if the people that need tutoring need it for that specific week. I had my first job yesterday. I was afraid going into it that I wouldn't remember anything. (I had the class about 2 years ago). I think I was somewhat helpful and we are meeting again on Monday. I am still working at the library, but now I can try to get closer to 20 hours a week of work since I am the lone bread winner of the family.

Speaking of family, Ryan is enjoying student teaching. Currently he is teaching 5 physics and physical science classes. Each week he has STACKS of papers to grade. He's so hansome in his dress shirts and ties (many of them thanks to mom). I'm sure the girls pine for him each day.

My family makes me feel like I am in a soap opera. I am not going to go in much detail here...ask me if you really want to know. But say you were watching a commercial for a soap opera. This is what it would look like: my dad needs to go to my step-mom's to pick up his last stuff after the divorce. My step-mom doesn't want to be alone during this, so she calls my mom to sit with her while my dad comes to pick up his stuff. Strange. Bizarre. This is my life.

Happy Labor Day to all! Ryan's parents and family friends, the Prudens, are up this weekend. They arrived on Friday. On Saturday we went mini golfing (I beat my husband for the 3rd time in a row), had a barbecue at our apartment, went swimming at the hotel and got ice cream. Today we went swimming, had a picnic at Deerfield Park, and ate at Big Boy. It was quite a sight to see: after swimming Gayle started a hot tub in their room at the hotel. So me, Ryan, and Gayle were sitting in there in our swim suits. Then Gayle got out and Chad got in. Nothing like 3 people trying to squeeze in a hot tub made for 1 or 2 people. Then the boys made it too hot, so I had to get out.

Let me say, I hate politics. We were watching something today about the Democrat party. First the daughters and son of the candidates were answering questions at a college or something. Then we watched Edwards speak in Wisconsin. It's dirty and I don't like it. Give me a list of what the candidates stand for and I'll make my decision. I hate the speeches because they just talk bad about each other and then claim how it's bad to put people down. I don't get it. Black and white. That's all I want. (FYI: I still don't know who I'm going to vote for because I am not nearly as educated on the issues as I need to be...for issues I do already know about, the score is Bush 2, Kerry 1)