Looking back at 2010

So it has been a quite some time since my last post.  Life got a little crazy with Eddie's new job, finals, and of course the holidays. 

Finals turned out wonderful for me... well maybe "wonderful" isn't quite the word, but I was very pleased with my grades and a huge improvement from last year.  It is always good to have some encouragement and a reminder as to why I'm torturing myself for 8 long years of my life!  It would call this semester a complete success!

Eddie started a new job at Searcy Schools just after Thanksgiving.  He's working with the special needs kids.  He always has a story about the kids in his class.  Some stories are hilarious, particularly how he argues with the 8 year olds.  Some stories are sad and remind me to be very thankful for the blessing in our life.  Good days and bad days, he loves his new job and the people he's working with.  Hopefully it'll be one step closer to a social studies/coach position.  Also, he's starting his Master's in June at Harding, which is exciting and scary all at the same time. 

The holidays were simply fabulous!  We went to Cherokee for the week before Christmas.  I worked for Dad most of the week.  Good news... he didn't fire me before Christmas!  It is always eventful when I work with my dad, especially for a week.

We spent Christmas Eve with my mom, went to church, and dinner at Pizza Hut (of course!).  Christmas Day we went back to my mom's house for lunch and presents with the Malones, Granny, Shirley, and Mom.  The twins had a blast with all of the attention and new toys to play with.  I'm the best aunt ever!  I got them build-a-bear wolves with ASU shirts... however, Brock enjoyed the box that his came in more than the Red Wolf itself.  Should've just bought them the boxes, I guess.  Haha!  We did dinner at Dad's.  More toys and attention for the boys.  It was such a wonderful Christmas with them around and it will only continue to get more fun.  Next, year they'll be more excited and understanding about the whole event.

Oh!  Eddie got me and iPad for Christmas!  That was exciting!  I love it.  I haven't figured out the extent of coolness, but enjoying what I know so far.

I have a new book recommendation! 

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, a Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy (Book 1 of the Jolie Wilkins Series) by H.P. Mallory


 If you like the Sookie Stackhouse Series, you'll love this.  The main character, Jolie, finds herself in the middle of an underworld war and in love with a charming warlock.  She's clumsy, awkward, and not quite sure of herself, something that most girls can relate to.  I finished this in a couple days and moved on to the second in the series.  I highly recommend it!  It is only $0.99 on the Nook at BarnesandNoble.com.  I'll let you know more about the second book when I finish it!

Anyway, I hope that 2011 will be just as wonderful as 2010!  We've had several changes and adjustments in our lives.  But, isn't that what makes life exciting?!  Without the unexpected it would just be so boring!  God won't give you anything that you can't handle. 
Things to look forward to in 2011:
4th & 5th semester of pharmacy school
Eddie's Master's program
Disney World (Christmas Goal)
A teaching/coaching position for Eddie
and all the unexpected blessings in life!

Happy New Year from the Ishmaels!

Birthday, Babies, Witches, and Wizards

This will take a while to update you all on the life of the Ishmaels lately.  But, let's start with Eddie's birthday!!  Eddie and I are notorious for not being able to keep a secret.  I was pretty impressed with myself for planning a surprise 25th birthday dinner for him in Jonesboro.  A secret for a whole month... very  impressive!

We all had fun with his friends and family.  I got to see a couple of my besties, too!  Mandi and Lauren came!  So excited to see both of them.  Too much time goes between our visits for sure! 

Last Friday was such a wonderful day!  Heidi came to Little Rock and we had lunch with our "long-lost-cousin" Jason and went shopping.  Fun day!

Then that night Eddie had bought me WICKED tickets for my birthday (keep in mind my birthday isn't 'til Dec. 3rd... told ya we can't keep secrets!).  The show was amazing! 

Sunday, we drove to Greers to meet the Malones for lunch and play with the boys.  They are so adorable!  They change so much between visits:s  This video are just a little bit of our play time with Brock and Byant.

Brock crawling on Uncle Eddie

Bryant

Touchdown Ishmael!

Reality has finally sunk in.  Football is a religion in the Ishmael household.  Sunday, we watch the Cowboys.  Monday, we watch whoever is playing Monday Night Football or highlights from the weekend.  Tuesday and Wednesday, I get to hear the highlights from Riverview practices.  Thursday, Junior High football at Riverview.  Friday, well of course Football Friday Night.  We have Riverview and Eddie's gone all night.  He sits in the press box and talks to the coaches.  I would go and be the supportive wife, but I wouldn't have anyone to sit with.  I know, silly huh?  Anyway, once he gets home, we have to find out if Valley View and Highland won and other various schools around the state.  Then Saturday finally comes around, we're either on the road to Jonesboro for the ASU game or we're watching games all day on TV.
FOOTBALL is EVERYWHERE!!!!  It is all he talks about! 

Life as a Wife and Student

I wanted to update my loyal readers on the happenings in our little family since Eddie no longer works at the gas company.  It has been wonderful with him being off much more these days.  I missed him when he was gone.  However, the draw back is that he is quite the distraction.  Sometimes, my lovely husband, is quite the child.  He gets bored easily and demands some entertainment.  Since I'm in pharmacy school, it is sort of difficult to take a break and go do something fun and exciting when your "To Do List" keeps getting longer and longer.  It's easy to get behind pretty quickly in this program.  This week I'm playing catch-up from last week, learning about the heart, lipids, and fats- oh my!

One thing that has started that I've really enjoyed is teaching the 9th grade Sunday school class.  Talk about a crowd that is hard to entertain!!  I've tried to make the class as exciting as possible and I think it has worked out well the last couple of weeks.  I bring candy and each one gets 2 pieces but they can't open it until the end of class because if they get called on to read and they don't know where we are, I make them give a piece back to me.  The first week I did this, I got 2 pieces back.  Last week, I didn't get any!  Also, the book we have for this class is mostly about abstinence and chastity.  I think that 9th grade is the perfect age for the topic, however, I've found that they get really bored with the same thing for an hour every week.  My students had also complained a little bit about them not knowing much about the Bible and scripture.  So my other idea was to have a separate lesson each week.  It only takes about 5-10 minutes from each class.  The unit that I have picked first is People of the Bible and right now were are learning about the 12 Apostles.  Each week I ask questions from previous lessons and the student that get the right answer get points.  I promised them a prize at the end of each unit and at the end of the year.  I haven't quite figured out what the prize will be... but I'll think of something good.  I think it'll encourage them to come and retain what I'm teaching them.  We will see.  I think I'll make another page on the blog to share what I'm doing in my Sunday school class in case anyone needs some ideas.

Funny Story- One of the classes this semester is Patient Assessment.  This is by far- my least favorite class.  Thank the Lord it is only one day a week.  Each week we've been learning about different parts of a physical exam.  At the end of the semester we have to perform one on a complete stranger for a grade.  My biggest hang up so far has been the ears.  I'm not sure why, but I have a phobia of ear wax.  It's true.  I am completely horrified of ear wax.  It wasn't an issue on my dear, very clean friend, Kaci, who was my partner for practicing that day, but I think it may be an issue on this stranger we'll have to examine at the end of the semester.  I don't really want to fail pharmacy school because of this patient assessment thing.  I think there are two possibilities:  1 I'll get an A and move on with my life or 2 I'll fail miserably because of the physical exam grade, I'll need to reconsider my career choices and file bankruptcy for the school loans I have.  :-/ I'll let you know what happens.  Pray for option 1.

The Gas-Field-Phase is FINALLY over!

Eddie no longer works for the gas company anymore and it is a wonderful thing!!
The company was bought out and was going through some major changes in the last month... so looking ahead, we decided to get ready to end this phase of our life.  I'm so glad that we did that because on Monday, the head-honcho from the new owners came for a meeting and brought 2 options with him: 1. transfer out of district (i.e. pick up and move to West Virginia or Oklahoma) or 2. Start working out of district 14 days on 7 days off...  Seeing that I'm in pharmacy school, option 1 was out of the question.  Option 2 doesn't sound like a great idea either, leaving me 2 weeks at a time, I think not.
Anyhow, he took option 3... "I'll be back in a little bit to turn in my uniforms."
It's a bitter-sweet change.  Bitter because of a pay-cut.  Sweet because life is simple again.  Eddie will be substitute teaching this year and wrapping up the loose ends for his teaching/coaching license.  He's helping out with the football team at Riverview and loves it... Go Raiders!
One more change in this short time since we graduated college.  Progress towards normal.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

Soap Box

Ok, so now that football season is here, I have a moment to get on my soap box for just a second about the whole issue that always comes around in my house this time of year. The Arkansas State University vs. University of Arkansas issue, that is.

First of all, lets point out that there is no ASU vs UofA in any sport. The only time we will ever play each other will be when Arkansas doesn't have a choice and we get matched up in a tournament.

I suppose that you could call this a "little brother," syndrome. But here's the deal. Once brothers grow up and they're in adulthood, really, at that point, whats the big difference besides the fact that one is older and maybe a little bigger?

The fact is, there are several colleges in Arkansas. Arkansas State offers as many opportunities and advantages for students as UofA.

Don't get me wrong either, I'm a home-grown Arkansan and I watched and heard about the Hogs growing up too. However, I did attend ASU by my choice and I am proud of the college that I attended. I am a fan of their athletic program (good and bad). Honestly, I just get sick and tired of hearing about how inferior my school is and the fact that it gets neglected by the majority of the state. Even other alumni of ASU will sport a Hogs plate, or drive 5 hours to a game across state before staying in Jonesboro to support ASU. That's pitiful! If you like the Hogs so much, why didn't you go there?! I feel that goes for anyone who attended a university and cheers for another. I mean seriously, why be like that- Because you definitely paid that athletic fee every semester!

You can certainly be a fan of both! Just, please, don't hate on ASU because you think you're better. Fans like that are the exact reason that I am even ranting about this. I'm glad you support the Hogs! I used to cheer for both. To quote a loyal Hog fan: "Man, I'm excited that ASU is playing Auburn, they're going to get killed!" this is the sentence that began a football conversation, no one had said a word and this was his first thought. So I have a response for those who would agree with this fan: "I'm an ASU fan and a fan of ANYONE that plays the Razorbacks!" Does that make you happy? That you would turn away a fan? I guess your school is so BIG and WONDERFUL that you don't need anymore fans, that's good, because you've lost one. 

Ok, that's enough of my football commentary (Eddie would be so proud). Most people already know that I feel this way and that most of family does too. If you're a die-hard Hog fan and I hurt your feelings, I'm ok with that because if you're that die-hard and you know me well enough to be reading this 1. You already knew I felt this way, 2. You've probably hurt mine along the way too. So let's all hug and be friends! :-)

Sooooo... HOW 'BOUT THEM COWBOYS?!

The photographer that did our wedding just posted this on my facebook. Emily Anderson is her name, let me know and I'll get you her info. She was great! Also, take note of my cake and flowers too. I had wonderful people to work with when planning the wedding and would love to pass their names on!