My Nephew, The Genius

Tanner Rowlett was the first baby born into our family that made me an aunt. He's pretty much the coolest kid ever, and smart---no, that's practically an insult---the kid is a friggin' genius.

For example... He is in first grade now, and already can message people on the computer. Here is an email he sent me last spring (he was only five):

we wil kam

He was answering my email about his family coming to Baby Animal Days up in Logan, UT (best day of the year). Just today, I got onto facebook and who messages me but TANNER! It made me feel so special because he is just so cool. I priveledge you with a snippet from our conversation:

Tanner: at skool this morning I foold one of my frinds with a nook nook joke

Me: You did, huh? How did the joke go?

Tanner: nook nook

Me: Who’s there?

Tanner: inarupting cow

Me: interrupting cow who?

Tanner: moo!!!

Would you look at that sentance structure? He could probably skip a grade, I bet. He only ended our conversation to go do his homework, which is the awesomest thing in the world. He already has good study habits. Kudos to you, Tanner. We can't wait til you come out here so we can see all of your missing teeth!

What do you do on Snowy days?

Blog, of course. What else, besides read other people's blogs til your eyes turn red?

Here are some quick updates:

Tim and I have been working for the past couple months while rooming with mi madre (who has been kind enough to let us lodge here until we have the moolahs to move out). Things are moving along nicely and the only thing I feel without is the presence of our sweet little...

Chloe. This picture is a testament to how much Chloe loves AC. We were able to take a whole bunch of these types of pictures throughout that 30 minute drive since she hardly took her nose from the vent. She is two now, and despite our efforts, continues to bark at the sound of any "bing." Never try watching game shows with her. She doesn't know the difference between a doorbell and a buzzer.

One of the best parts about living back in Manassas is being so close to family. How can you not love these faces?

My Life is Average

Jen, why did you show me this website? I've wasted a whole evening.

But it was worth it.


Today, I was in a store pretending to be a mannequin. I saw a little girl running around as her mom tried to leave, yelling, "I haven't said goodbye to everyone!" She proceeded to run down the line of mannequins, hugging them all. When she got to me, I hugged her back. I've never heard anyone scream so hard. MLIA


http://mylifeisaverage.com

Yay I'm an Auntie Again!!

Last night, I stayed up far too late playing a grueling game of Settlers of Katan with family, woke up still drowsy, worked my job feeling confused and very...small..., came home exhausted, thinking about all the things I still had to do that day, blah blah blah, sorrow and personal anguish and me me me.

Then Laura called. My mom was adament about me reading her blog. Laura never calls about us reading her blogs but whatever, I LOVE seeing new baby Lijah pictures. So I pulled it up, got to the bottom and

BAM! I'm an auntie again! Yay Laura! Yay Tony! Yay Elijah! You're gonna have a baby!!!!!

I can't believe you beat me to the punch AGAIN, haha!

Best news ever to brighten up a dull Monday, I tell you.

We love you guys!

Life in the Fast Lane

I've started a new job down in Warrenton this week; another temp to hire position. There are a couple of things I want to say about it, and they are all good!

1) No traffic-I head down 29 and wave to everyone on the opposite side of the road...so long, suckaaaas.

2) The people- They are so nice and smiley, have good senses of humor, and understand when I screw up the printer or computer (yes, I've already done both--today was my second day).

3) The work- Challenging, yet satisfying. It's like trying to solve a puzzle every day, and I looooove puzzles.

4) The kitchen- Food shouldn't be so important to me, but it is, and it deserves to have some space. This kitchen is fully equipped with 2 refridgerators, a microwave, dishwasher, icemaker, silverware, a couple vending machines (snacks and sodas), a tv that actually works and is on during lunch hours, mugs, glasses, a water cooler thingy, recycling bins, comfy chairs, numerous tables, BOOTHS, etc etc etc!

5) The building- I love walking through it. It's classy. Stone floors, dark wood, sleek metal handles and railings, but best of all, big 'ole windows to let in the natural light from outside.

6) My desk- I have a full on desk, people. I can put whatever I want on it, and organize it however I like. Never had that before. It's quite nice.

Just a couple things about that. Yay for new jobs that we like!


We *think* Chloe will be ending her cycle soon, so within the next couple saturdays, I'm going to try to make it down to Richmond and get her babymaker disabled. Thanks to my seester, I have finally found a place that is reasonably priced and will do the job. Maybe while I'm down there, I can visit my family (Rob, Jo, Abby, I'm lookin at you! Whaddya say?). Tim will probably not be able to go because he works Saturdays til 2, so... He needs to get on here and talk about his job! He's been having a blast there!

Love you all!

Old Jobs

Once upon a time, I worked for an insurance company. Two weeks later, I get a call from the temp agency saying that day was my last day AFTER I had left the office and was on my way home. Apparently, I wasn't "catching on" like they'd hoped. My temp agency friend told me not to take it personally, that this kind of thing just happens sometimes, but this is the first job I've ever been fired from. Can it be considered firing when I was still working with the temp agency? Anyway, it's okay since I didn't really like working there anyway, but I am racking my brains trying to think of what I did or didn't do that made me not "catch on." Whatever it was, at least this firing explains why no one was talking to me today. But that just hurts my feelings...

I guess I am taking it personally...

New Jobs

Yesterday at Tim's new job, he went to a kickboxing class, helped a child feel more comfortable in a new strange environment, led the orange team in a yellow belts vs. orange belts shouting/kicking contest, and was the fastest kicker in the whole adult class by miles (I knew he wasn't staying off that foot).

Yesterday at my new job, I scanned more files, shredded paper, answered the phone 3 times, got told I talk too much (caked in sarcasm from my boss), and endured the lingering stink pouring from the bathroom where my desk sits the closest to (thanks again, boss).

Is there a significant difference of fun-ness here, or is it just me?

It was kind of fun making secret grossed-out faces after my boss laid a dookie and left the door wide open like he was gracing the whole room with his triumph. No hand wash. No fan on. Are you making a grossed-out face now?