End of another school year...

Wow I was just realizing that it has been quite awhile since I have blogged.  Life has been busy for us as I'm sure it has been for many of you with the school year coming to an end and the start of summer right around the corner.

Charlie just got back from being in Esterville all week where he attended training on Active Shooting.  It seemed like he really enjoyed himself and learned a lot from the week.  I kept myself plenty busy while he was gone so that I didn't get too lonely.  I spent a lot of time with my family, was able to attend 2 of my little sisters school concerts (singing & orchestra), got to go on some nice long runs with my sister Kelsie (to get ready for the Tulip Festival Road Race), got the lawn mowed with the help of my sisters (who had to come over and start it for me since I couldn't get the dang thing going-thanks Kasondra & Jazz!) lol, I was also able to get some school work done and much, much more.  So,  needless to say we've both been keeping plenty busy.

This coming Friday we anticipate painting the outside of our house.  We are looking to put our home on the market in the upcoming month or so as we have found an acreage we are looking to purchase.  We have made several updates to the inside of our home, but the outside is kind of ugly (in my opinion).  Our house is a yellowish color with a brown trim (it just looks kind of old).  So, we thought maybe by painting the outside of our house there would be a better road appeal and potentially more people interested in taking a look.   We are going to be painting the house a shade of green (kind of a sage color), and then we're thinking about doing a tan colored trim with burgundy colored doors (I was actually able to get the doors painted this past week while Charlie was gone and they already look better).  But other than painting the exterior of our house, I think we'll be pretty close to putting our house on the market.  We have some smaller jobs to take care of like putting some final pieces of trim up that i recently painted, fixing up paint on some of the walls that got dinked inside and some other minor cosmetic stuff.  We are looking forward to spending some time with our family while we work on painting and if the weather is nice we are hoping to grill at our house Saturday with those that were able to come and help us.

Well, I hope you all have great week ahead, and Congratulations to my sisters Jasmyn on her high school graduation this coming Thursday!

Friday!!!

Yeah...it's finally Friday.  I've been so ready for Friday all week, and now it's finally here and almost already half way over.  Anyways, Charlie laid down to take a quick hour nap before he has to work the night shift tonight, and I just got done packing for my trip to Hampton, IA this weekend so I thought I'd blog real quick. 

We once again had a busy, but nice day together.  Charlie worked until 3:00 this morning and then woke up at about 8 to head over and help a buddy's dad out in the field.  Since I really wanted to spend time with him being that we had opposite schedules once again this week, and since I am going to be gone singing all weekend, I knew the only way I'd get to spend some time with him is if I'd go ride along.  So, that is what I did :)  I really don't mind riding along in the tractor with him, I actually enjoy it.  It's kind of nice because you're stuck in one tiny place and all you really have to do is..."talk"  my favorite lol ;)  Let me tell you though, they really do not make tractors very comfortable for a second rider.  I think I was sitting on an arm rest or something which was very hard and I couldn't keep my but on the dang thing for the life of me.  I kept bouncing around and sliding down.  Oh well what do you do right? 

Then after helping disc/field cultivate for awhile, we quick ran some errands around town, and then came home so I could get packed, and so Charlie could get a quick nap in.  I'm looking forward to this weekend but at the same time I'm a little nervous.  Tomorrow afternoon I will be speaking with a room full or girls along with two of my other sisters (Kelsie & Jasmyn) on the topic of "purity" (Kansas & Kasondra are going to be leading another session).  I have never felt like I was blessed with the ability of public speaking, but when the people putting the event on asked if we would speak, we couldn't say no.  When God asks you to do something, you don't argue, you don't question Him,  you just listen right?  Anyways that's the way I feel about it.  So, please keep me/us in your prayers as we share what God lays on our hearts this weekend.  Then later tomorrow evening we will be sharing in concert with the community.  I am looking forward to this concert as we will be sharing some of the new songs of our our newest album which is releasing in THREE DAYS!!!   And then on Sunday morning, we will also be sharing a praise and worship set with a church down there.  I am excited for the weekend and to be used by God.  I have learned to put my trust in Him and just know that if I am faithful He will use me and work through me in ways I can't even imagine. 

I hope you all have a wonderful week-enjoy the beautiful weather!

~Jamie~

CD RELEASE...May 9, 2011!!!

I am excited to share with all of you that...Our CD's ARRIVED in the mail today!!! 

We have been working on putting these CD's together for some time now, so it is very exciting to finally see and hear the final project.  I am so happy with how things turned out and sound.  I truly feel that God has blessed this project and I hope you will see that this is evident as you listen to the songs.  It is our hope and prayer that if you know Christ and have a personal relationship with him that you will be encouraged in your walk with Him through the music, and if you may not know who Christ is or have a personal relationship with Him, we pray that these songs will touch you in such a way that you would like to know more about who He is and how you too can have a one-on-one relationship with Him.

We thank you all for your love, support & prayers over the past years and we ask that you please continue to pray for us as we follow His calling in our lives. 

You can purchase our CD's online at our website:  http://www.trueemotionmusic.com/ (Store Page) starting May 9, 2011!  We hope you truly feel blessed by the music and lyrics that you hear and we would love to hear what you think. 

"Change That Heart"

-CD with Tracks/A Band-

"Be Still"

-Acapella CD-



~Jamie~

Eventful Weekend...

Wow, I feel like so much has happened since I last updated our blog , and my sisters so kindly reminded me tonight that I don't post often (geesh I just started give me a break) so I thought I better get on that.

This past Thursday evening, Charlie and I headed to West Des Moines for the weekend.  I had to attend an IALA (Iowa Association of Legal Assistants) Seminar there all day on Friday, and I was able to talk Charlie to coming with me for the weekend.  It was so nice how his three days off landed so perfectly! 

So anyways, I woke up Thursday morning, got ready for work, ran around the house like a crazy women trying to get ready for work, eat breakfast quickly and pack for the weekend all at the same time.  I was pretty successful, but before I knew it, it was 7:55 a.m. and I had to be at work by 8:00 a.m.  I already felt late as I am usually at work by 7:50 a.m., but oh well at least I only live a couple blocks away from work.  So I hop in my vehicle, and yep...go figure...the car won't start.  Seriously...the lights weren't left on, there was enough gas in the vehicle, and everything seemed normal to me.  Well, I didn't have time to kill so I called my Mom right away and asked if she could pick me up from my house right to drop me off at work.  Of course she did (She's Super Mom-you're great mom thanks for always helping me out last minute).  So anyways, I made it to work.  My boss so kindly offered to drop me off at the clinic that afternoon as I had to receive allergy shots that day, and then my mom (once again saved my day) and picked me up from the clinic and dropped me back off at the office.  I got home at 4:30 p.m. that day, Charlie and I pack some last minute things, and then off we headed.  Well not exactly, we made it to the stop sign only a couple feet away from the end of our driveway before I said, "Umnm Hunny...something is not right here.  I don't have any breaks."  By this time it is 5:20.  We pull back on the driveway, pull the front tire off, I pump the breaks a couple of times and sure enough Charlie sees brake fluid flying everywhere.  We quick call Arnold Motor (who advises they close at 5:30) and pick up a new brake line.  My wonderful so handy husband fixes the line and off we go.  We arrived in Des Moines around 10:00 p.m., unpacked our bags, grabbed a quick bite to eat and headed to bed.

The next morning I got up bright and early, headed to my seminar and attended several courses until 4:30 p.m.  Boy did these classes make me feel like I need to go to school.  Everything just seemed so over my head, but they're supposed to be learning opportunities right?  Oh and guess what else also happened?  At our luncheon during the seminar, I was presented the Scholarship Award winner.  This was a $500 scholarship and I am also to attend the NALA (National Association of Legal Assistance) Seminar this July in Dallas, TX.  I was shocked to have won this Award.  Then after the seminar that day, I met up with Charlie and we headed over to his/our aunt and uncle's house (who live in Polk City).  From there we hit the golf course.  Charlie and his uncle Garald had fun playing a round of golf (even though it was awfully windy) and his aunt Karen and I enjoyed chatting and catching up while watching the guys play.  After golf, we all went to "The Machine Shed" which is a restaurant in Des Moines, and we enjoyed some dinner while catching up with each other a little more.  They were so sweet and gave us a bouquet of flowers and a card that evening as we were celebrating our 2nd Wedding Anniversary.

After supper Charlie and I headed to our hotel for the night.  We got to the hotel, I opened the door, and there inside our room were some beautiful roses from my wonderful husband.  While I was at the seminar, I guess he checked into the hotel early (we switched hotels) and bought some flowers that were sitting in the room when we got there.  We just enjoyed the rest of the night together watching a movie and relaxing in the hot tub.  It was a nice break away from home and work and just time to relax and enjoy each other's company.

We left Des Moines at about noon the next day and went straight to Sioux Falls, SD as my/our nephew Kedren was celebrating his 2nd birthday that evening.  We just couldn't miss his party, so we hurried back in made it in time to celebrate with family and friends.  It sure seemed like he had a fun birthday...between all the candy, cake, pizza and presents he was a happy boy. 

So needless to say, between the car troubles, keeping busy at my seminar all day Friday, winning the scholarship award, spending time with our aunt & uncle and celebrating our 2nd Wedding Anniversary, we had a very eventful busy/fun/and special weekend!

The flowers my husband surprised me with when we arrived at our hotel

The flowers & card from our Uncle & Aunt (Garald & Karen)

Going Back to School...

I can honestly say I never thought I would go back to school after receiving my Business Degree from Northwest Iowa Community College about three years ago, but little did I know that God had other plans for me.  At my annual review this January my bosses presented me with the idea/option of going to school to become a Paralegal.  Wow...this was quite an idea I thought... I think I was a little taken by the idea.  I was quite the "studyholic" in junior high/high school and when I graduated from NCC I remember being pretty excited to finally be done and move on to starting the "real world."  I was ready to get married to the love of my life, get a job that I would hopefully love, come home and not have homework to do (for once) but instead have supper to make, laundry to do, and time to just spend with my husband.  Well not that I love doing laundry necessarily, but I would take it any day over homework.  Anyways, like I said God had other plans for me.  I thought about the idea for quite awhile, talked to Charlie about it and got his thoughts, as well as my parents and some of my sisters.  And after all the thinking and discussing, I have decided that this is too good of an opportunity to pass up.  Am I excited about the many nights of endless studying, the long hours of text reading and lectures, and of course the many papers and exams that come along with college courses?  No, but I am excited to be learning something that really interests me.  I am excited that hopefully after receiving my degree I will be a better employee.  I am excited about the idea of better understanding the work that I do and why I do what I do.  Sure I am nervous that I may not be smart enough, or may not get as good of grades as the next person, and that I may not understand everything that I learn, but all I can expect out of myself is "my best".  Besides the many thoughts that have been running through my head, at the same time I am just excited and ready to get started.  I am looking at starting classes May 9 already (if we can get everything lined up in time) and I will most likely be able to complete my degree by sometime in 2013, which I thought was pretty good.  So as I start school in the next couple weeks I'm sure I'll update you as to how things are going and how I am enjoying the classes.

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the evening!

~Jamie~

Charlie's first week on as a full-time deputy

Charlie just wrapped up his first, six day shift as a full-time deputy.  He really seems to be enjoying the work that he does so far.  Being that so much of what he does is confidential he can't share specifics with me, but has seems to be keeping fairly busy and seems to be learning new things every day.

According to Charlie, many of his employees/employers have been asking him how I feel about his schedule so far, and how I am handling it.  I'm not so excited about all the night shifts that he will be working, but to be honest with you, things have been pretty good so far.  I am not good at just chilling by myself, it's just to quiet and lonely, so I usually enjoy spending time hanging out with my family over at my parents house.  I have now managed to receive the nickname "mooch" -they like to tease me that I come over to mooch supper off them, but you can ask my mom, she usually calls and invites me over...right mom? I do have to say that I have learned to be quite the night owl though.  I usually have a hard time falling asleep until Char gets home, so I often find myself keeping busy until 1-1:30 in the morning or so.  I can get quite a bit done in a day when I stay up that late (or early I guess).  I've been able to clean my house often, do some baking, enjoy going on long runs, and catching up chatting and spending time with my family.  So anyways, things are going well for us so far. 

Charlie's 2nd day on as a full-time deputy.  He had the honor of supporting a fellow employee (Deputy Waylon Pollema) as he willingly was tased for a fundraiser and training exercise.  I think Charlie was just happy the guy on the ground was not him :)

Here's a link to the video in case you're intersted in hearing about the fundraiser and to see the tasing exercise: http://www.kcautv.com/global/category.asp?c=190185&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5716270

Nephew's Coyer & Kedren stopped by and suprised Uncle Charlie over his lunch break one day!

Hey Everyone!

Welcome to our newly created Blog page.  I have really enjoyed keeping up with family & friends by reading their blogs, so I thought maybe I'd give it a shot too.  I hope you enjoy keeping up with what is going on in our lives, and we look foward to keeping up with all of you too!

~Charlie & Jamie~
Zomermaand