All of my Jobs...

Well, it may seem crazy to some people...and it kinda is...but, I do enjoy all of my jobs:

1. I babysit two boys in the morning: They are almost 2 years old & 5 months...super cute. Then I drop them off at the childcare they have during the day.

2. I work in the YMCA nursery. I enjoy this job about 88% of the time. Also, this job is directly across the street from our apartment, and I get a free membership & Buck's is 50% off...great perks. Plus, I think there are some other jobs at the YMCA that I am better qualified for and that I would enjoy more...so, if they ever come open, I will be ready!

3. I substitute teach when I can. I love being in any classroom...and most days are good. Plus it pays pretty well.

4. I work as an Instructor at the Etum Academy in Lakewood. I teach a "book club" curriculum to 5th grade korean students. I totally love this position. I am hoping I will get some more classes to move me up from the two hours a week I work now.

5. Oh yeah, and I am applying for the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Stadium High School. If that doesn't work out, I am probably going to take a Junior High Head Coach Position at Curtis, which would keep me with the same program I worked last year. It will be different having my own team!

Well, I am scattered...and sometimes I feel beat, but I love how quickly my day changes...I love bouncing from one thing to the next. I do wish I was more stable. But, hopefully my life is piecing together little moments that impact others. That makes me feel good:)

Our Family is Happy...

Auburn whipped Buffalo...WAR EAGLE! And, Arkansas pulled out a tough win...okay, so they got lucky, but they won! They beat BAMA!

so, i post...

It happened...finally I was reading the blogs of many of my dear friends and was guilted into posting. But, I do enjoy posting. And, I need somewhere (besides my poor husband) to put down my thoughts sometimes. I know he must often think: "why doesn't she just stop thinking", but I am a thinker...believe me, I have tried to turn it off.

Lately, I have been pondering the idea of loyalty. What is it really & what drives to live a life of loyalty? I have many friends that are loyal (as far as I know), but they all seem to express it in different ways. I know it doesn't mean you have to "be there all the time"...thank goodness or I might be friendless at this point in my life. I think for me at least, that loyalty is something that is earned...not the right word...it is developed through combat, maybe. It takes awhile for me to consider someone loyal...I think I have to observe them love me & allow me to love them back...you know, that level of a relationship that has to be worked on, the friends you have been through something with...the ones who have seen your victories and have seen you fall flat on your face.

I have been watching our middle school students lately, and I have observed that they have no idea of this sense loyalty. Maybe they haven't been through enough together...maybe we are even more selfish then than I am now. I just don't know, but it breaks my heart. Loyalty is undervalued. I do know that. I can name those people I would call during a crisis. I can name those people that I will always love no matter the circumstances...no matter how long the time between one conversation and the next.

I love students & I love serving alongside Buck, sharing our hearts with these teenagers and watching them grow.

Pray for me that I would share only Christ with them as they seek Him...and try to follow Him...and bring their friends in hopes that they will encounter Christ.

Pray that we would all encounter Christ everyday.

Amy's Shirt

WAR EAGLE!

It's Great to be an Auburn Tiger!

Here is a letter Farah passed off to me. It is written by a WSU fan. It is pretty cool!

War Eagle from a Cougar!

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I said I would post on my experience when I got home to Washington...so here I am.
First, "THANK YOU AUBURN" for putting on a first class game day. What an incredible atmosphere! I am still just beaming. I can't say enough how special a football experience is at Auburn.

The first two guys I ran into at Bodago's on Friday night. Neither had been to an away Cougar game before and their neighbor in Seattle, who is an Auburn grad, invited them to go down to the game and stay at his families hunting lodge just outside Auburn. So they went down to the game with a group of Auburn fans. Turns out their neighbor is the son of your legendary Heisman trophy winner Sullivan. Pretty cool eh?

Your stadium is so beautiful. Simply amazing!
The Eagle flying down to start the game was unbelievable and by far the coolest thing I've ever seen at a college football game!

The college girls with their pretty little sundresses where very eye opening! Are there any ugly girls at this school?

Food...I'm still full. I love Waffle House at 3 am.

But by far the best and most memorable experience was meeting and hanging out with the people from Auburn. I have never met a nicer bunch of people. You are all a great group and I am very happy to have met you all. Auburn is truly a special place and will always be thought of in high regards by us fans of WSU.

Thanks again for a great time. I truly hope we can do it again sometime. Only next time, I hope we can make a better game of it.

You guys will win the national title! Irons is a great back.

I will now spend the next 5 years or so trying to convince my son that he will need to attend college at Auburn. Have a great season Tigers....

MSJ

10 Reason the Hogs will win!

My prediction Hogs 38 USC 35

Wooo Pig Soooie!

Here are 10 reasons why I believe the Hogs are capable of pulling off an upset:

1. Pride -- Southern Cal intentionally embarrassed a very young and inexperienced football team last year. They sent a message to the nation at the Hogs' expense and laughed about it while doing it.

Though it's not USC's job to stop its own offense, there is no class in passing late in the game with a 50-point lead.

The Trojans had better be ready to rumble tonight because they will be challenged, and the joke may end up on them if they don't take the Hogs seriously.

2. Offensive line -- The Hogs own a veteran front five that led the way for the most potent rushing attack in the SEC last season. Stephen Parker, Tony Ugoh and the rest of the big guys up front can play smashmouth with the best of them, and they are hankering to show everyone how solid they are pass blocking, too.

3. UA cornerbacks -- This group took its lumps against USC last year, and Dwayne Jarrett and Steve Smith should be as good if not better this year. However, with a year's experience under their belts, Chris Houston and Matterrall "Red" Richardson are no longer struggling with the demands of a new scheme. Tonight's matchup will be more of an even match.

4. Felix Jones -- Jones got lost a bit in Darren McFadden's shadow last season as he was setting a UA freshman rushing record, but Jones averaged 6.3 yards a carry just like McFadden a season ago. Jones is an elusive runner who will benefit from the misdirection that is built into UA Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn's offensive scheme.

5. Reggie Herring -- The Hogs' defensive coordinator has been stewing about last season's loss for nearly a year. This game is personal to him, his staff and each of the Hog defenders. Tonight they are intent on not being embarrassed for a second year in a row.

6. Peyton Hillis -- The junior from Conway and Malzahn's offense were made for each other. Hillis will prove to be a bell cow for the Hogs this season, catching screens and swings as well as punishing defenders from the tailback spot.

7. Jamaal Anderson -- The 6-foot-6, 280-pound junior came into his own in the last half of last season, and he has only gotten better, adding strength and muscle in the off-season. He has the chance to be a force from his left end spot.

8. Marcus Monk -- The 6-6 junior's talents went to waste last season. That will not happen this season in Malzahn's offense. He will be All-SEC this season and an All-America candidate going into his senior season.

9. Motivation -- Houston Nutt has had a knack for being at his motivational best in revenge games. Win or lose, expect the Hogs to give a peak performance tonight.

10. Razorback fans -- When it gets down to the nitty gritty, Hog fans always come through for their team. With 72,000 plus on hand tonight, all the naysaying will be put aside. The fans will be behind their Razorbacks and the atmosphere will be a one-of-a-kind experience.

USC is a great football program, and by all accounts, the Trojans should win the game, but anyone who believes Arkansas has no chance hasn't got a clue.

Terry J. Wood is the sports editor of the Northwest Arkansas Times.