Update

It has been awhile since I blogged. You are probably all wondering how we are doing. We have been enjoying our apartment and I have been enjoying my job. We are making it through. Yes it is still hard on us but we are making it through. One of my friends told me that we are doing more than making it through we are surviving. That particular friend has a point. James and I became members at Clovis Ev Free Church. It has been such a blessing to be members. James is trying to serve in the church and well I have started to help out in the pre-k during second service. It was so much fun. Working at Kids Kare is such a blast. Everyday I come home with at least a laugh or a smile on my face. The past few days have been so hectic for us. James was having problems starting the car since last week sometime (I believe it started last Friday). The car did always start but it always took awhile to start. Well, on Monday (maybe even Tuesday) we were talking about getting it looked at to see what was wrong with it and well yesterday we went to the car and tried to turn on the car. Well to our surprised our car was not starting... it was humming. We tried everything we could to get me to work on time. By 8:05 I knew it wasn't gonna start so I called in my work to let them know I was gonna be late. We also called every friend we could think of since we had no money to tow the car we had to come up with a plan. We finally had a call from one of our friends and well we were able to borrow a car that day. James had an interview at 9 am yesterday, but with everything that happened he had to reschedule it for today at 9:30 am. Well, he couldn't find the place that his interview was at so it was rescheduled again for today at 2 pm. Finally, on my break I got a text from James asking me to call him. When I called him he told me that the oil sending unit and the starter both went out and it was gonna cost us 600 dollars. I was in tears at this point. He then said but since we had the card that we got from the last time the car was fixed that we could put 333 dollars on the card. Then he told me two of the tires were wearing and that would be 175 to replace the tires, but we couldn't afford that so we had to hold off on those. Honestly, I was so afraid that we would not be able to go home for Christmas. I think we are both relieved the car is fixed. However, the company we got the car from is no longer in business so we can't do much at all. James and I appreciate all the prayers we got and we want to say a very special thanks to the Elrich's for saving us for the few days we needed their car. "In all things Christ Supreme!"

It's gonna be alright

So James and I will be celebrating our one year anniversary on Oct. 27th and I am very excited. We have had so much happen to us in the past year and to tell you the truth I would not change it for the world. As most know I did lose my job on Oct.1st, 2010 at Clovis Unified and I did search for a job in Sacramento and had a few offers. One offer wouldn't give me the job until we moved to Sacramento and well we didn't have the funds so that job offer fell through. I also had an offer in Davis for Bright Horizons and well as we were about to get ready to move forward and move I called and there was a job freeze and that is when we went to go take our 30 day notice back, but things just went down hill. Our apartment was rented out and the renters were moving in on the 17th of March. We really had no where to go so we decided to go live with my parents for awhile. James and I then decided we were going to visit Fresno and we stayed with friends for a week and during that week we searched for jobs. We ended up getting in a car accident while job searching on April 1st. It was nothing bad at all. We were just rear- ended and I had whiplash for about a month and our honda was totaled. We were very lucky for such wonderful friends because we were able to borrow their extra car they helped us find a new car. After the car accident things turned for the best and we now have a 2006 Chevy Colbolt LS as most of you know and have seen. Once we got the new car I knew we were able to go to the Sacramento Jazz Festival and enjoy our love of jazz and that is exactly what we did. I even got a part- time job at Kids Kare at the Park and we ended up renting a room from our friends. On July 25th I started being a full-time preschool preschool teacher at Kids Kare at the Parks. I have so many memories and I have had so much fun. I have played duck duck goose and leap frog with the kids I work with and I also have started talking like my coworkers... I have started saying girl boo, deuces, and also oh snap. :) Then on September 3rd... we moved to a 2 bedroom apartment across from the Fresno Airport. We ended up staying with our friends that night (September 3) cause we couldn't get everything done and we were overwhelmed. After church on September 4th we finished moving into our new place. Then a week after we moved we went back home to Santa Maria to get our babies. We now have Zoe and Gavin back and it has been the best thing ever. Gavin loves to play with his big teddy bear from my mom and he also loves to play with his baby teddy bear from my mom. Zoe still hides. Just the other day I looked for her and I couldn't find her... finally I looked under the bed for her once again and there she was actually inside of the box spring of the bed. On September 12th James and I went out to dinner at Bobby Salazars to try and win tickets to Blazefest from Jennifer Lipp (Our favorite talk show host from 105.1 the blaze). Well anyways I actually won the tickets, so on September 17th we went to Blazefest and we had a blast. Heard many great bands. So some quotes I now live by and hope many people will live by are "Set yourself up to succeed"- Sherrilynn Colby Bottel (which I have set myself up to succeed in so many ways and just hope I can continue to succeed); "If you're gonna grow, you've got to let the sun shine on you"- Sherrilynn Colby-Bottel (I have also grown and the sun continues to shine on me... I am one changed young lady); "It is all in God's hands"- Sherrilynn Colby-Bottel (as you can tell I let it all be in God's hands and let God show me his Plan and we are now very happy living back where we want to make our living and home); and "See, good things come to those who wait"- Jeff Barnhart (so very true and I waited and got a full-time job, we got a place to call our own, and of course a year of happiness). I also learned from Pastor Wil that "Everything in life is a fill in the blank test and Christ is the answer. he is not always the best answer, but he is the only answer." I just wanted to thank everyone who was there for us and a special thanks to Brenda and Harlan for giving us shelter and of course for the food they shared with us for 6 months and thanks to my parents for letting us stay with them for awhile and for taking care of our babies! :) Also thank you for my mentor for giving me the prep talks I needed during this time of need. I now know I wouldn't turn anything around because I am extreme close to my hubby now and I am madly in love with him. Also there has been many meaningful and helpful lessons learned. It really did make it a lot easier to deal with all of these trials with my hubby.

My hubby and I at the Blazefest on Sept. 17th

My hubby and I with Jennifer Lipp on Sept.12th

Zoe hiding in the box spring of our bed

Gavin with his big teddy bear from my mom

He's turned my mourning into dancing again

So I realized it has been awhile since I have updated everyone on how James and I are doing. Anyways, as most know I lost my job at Clovis Unified October 1st, 2010. All I was told was that I did not fulfill my duties and responsibilities at an acceptable level. After many many hours, days, and months of looking for a job I had an interview with Bright Horizons in Davis and well that went very well. We were about ready to pack up our live in Fresno and move to Sacramento, but the only thing was when I called to see if I got the job I was told the job was put on a hiring freeze. After that things went down hill. We went to take our 30 day notice back and that was when we were told our apartment was sold and we couldn't take back our 30 day notice. Then we decided well we needed somewhere to go so we moved back to Santa Maria at my parents house. We then came to Fresno for a visit for a week and was staying with friends. We went job hunting during that time and on April 1st as we were job hunting we were rear-ended. I had whiplash for about a month and the honda was totaled. We were lucky for such wonderful friends that let us use an extra car and to help us find a car. James and I then have things turn for the best. James and I got a 2006 Chevy Colbolt LS and when that happened we went to Sacramento for the jazz festival. During this time I also got a part time job at Kids Kare at the Parks as a preschool teacher. Also, during this time we were told we could rent a room at our friends' house. We went home over the weekend and got all of our stuff and we sang this song at church at the Harbor and it spoke to both James and I. I just want to say amen to this song because it is so true for us right now.

He's turned my mourning

Into Dancing again

He's lifted my sorrows
I can't stay silent
I must sing
For His joy has come

Where there once
Was only hurt
He gave His healing hand
Where there once
Was only pain
He brought comfort
Like a friend
I feel the sweetness
Of His love
Piercing my darkness
I see the bright
And morning sun
As it ushers in
His joyful gladness

You've turned my mourning
Into dancing again
You've lifted my sorrows
And I can't stay silent
I must sing
For Your joy has come

Where there once
Was only hurt
You gave Your
Healing hand
Where the once
Was only pain
You brought comfort
Like a friend
I feel the sweetness
Of Your love
Piercing my darkness
I see the bright
And morning sun
As it ushers in
Your joyful gladness

Your anger lasts
For a moment in time
But Your favor is here
And will on me for
All my life time

Wedding and 2010 Jubilee By The Sea

It has been awhile since I updated, so it is that time where I update you on my memories of the jazz festival and of mine and James' wedding that we had on Oct. 27th! I will start with the wedding. It was a beautiful wedding and it meant a lot to me to have my friends and family help me through all the stress. The rehearsal was great and the rehearsal dinner was great. My friend Megan came down from Mammoth to take the professional pictures, my friend and adoptive auntie or as I call her auntie Yve came down from LA and officiated the marriage, then my mentor and really good friend Sherri Colby- Bottel came down from New Orleans and my adoptive parents Anne and Jeff Barnhart came down from Connecticut and played at the reception. Danny Coots also came down from Nashville, but his plane was delayed so he didn't come until about 8:30 that night. My cousin Tabitha who was one of the flower girls was so cute walking down the isle with her brother. As she walked down the isle she said hi to everyone. James and I wrote our intentions and I cried reading mine to him and James did cry when he saw me walking down the isle. My mom and all the others did a great job with everything they did. Thank you to everyone who helped out. The flowers were beautiful and I thank my aunt Debby for making all of those for the wedding, the wedding ceremony was beautiful, the photos are wonderful, all of the groomsmen and bridesmaids did a great job, the music was beautiful and the songs were well picked, my dress was beautiful, my hair and make-up was done so well, and the food was great. After the wedding James and I stayed at the Santa Maria Inn for the night and then on Thursday we opened up all of our gifts. Then on Friday through Sunday we went to the Pismo Beach Jazz Jubilee. On Friday Oct. 29th we started the festival at 11 am and that is when we sold for Ivory and Gold. Then at 1:30 pm we sold for Blue Renditions. After Blue Renditions James and I went to the hospitality room to get some food. Of course some of the food in the hospitality room was left over food from the wedding. Then at 4 pm James and I went to watch Titan Hot Seven play. Then after Titan Hot Seven James and I stayed and watched Fulton Street. Then at 6:30 pm James and I sold for Blue Renditions. Then we went to see if the hospitality room was open, but it wasn't so James and I hung out with Forrest, Forrest's wife, Forrest's wife's little brother, and Forrest's mom. Then at 9 pm we went and sold for Blue Street. On Saturday Oct. 30th James and I went and watched Cornet Chop Suey for a little bit and then at 10:15 am we went and sold for Blue Street. Then James and I hung out with Sherri for a little bit and we watched the Midri Brothers. Then at 12:45 pm James and I went and sold for Blue Street and then at 2:00 pm we went and sold for Ivory and Gold and then after the Ivory and Gold set James and I sold for the Krahn and Wanner set. Then we went to the hospitality room and had something to eat. Then at 5:45 pm James and I went and saw Titan Hot Seven. Then after the Titan Hot Seven set we stayed and watched Red Skunk. Then at 8:15 pm James and I went and watched Titan Hot Seven and then after that set we stayed to sell for Ivory and Gold. On Sunday Oct. 31st James and I started our day with selling for Blue Street. Then after Blue Street we stayed and watched Titan Hot Seven. Then at 11:30 am James and I sold for Blue Street and then we stayed and watched Titan Hot Seven. The highlights of this festival was hanging out with Sherri, seeing the Titan Hot Seven's Halloween set, meeting Sherri's little sister who I have also adopted as my sister just like I adopted Sherri as a sister, being introduced as newlywed's, hanging out with Forrest and his family, getting to dance to Now Baby or Never with James as his wife, and having Sherri dedicating Now Baby or Never to James and I after I requested it. There were many highlights at the wedding as well and those were getting to share the day with the people I love, Sherri fixing my dress for the night, Megan and I swing dancing, and of course hanging out with my girls the night before the wedding. There has also been some things that has stressed me out before the wedding, but the one major stressor was me loosing my job 26 days before the wedding. The first 23 pictures after me and my girls the night before the wedding are photos courtesy of Megan T. Guffey. Go visit her website at http://www.pbase.com/guffey!

Karyn, Heather, Me, Emily, and Lola the night before my wedding

Me and my cousin Tabitha the night of the wedding rehearsal

Auntie Yve and my mom the night of the wedding rehearsal

Me the night of the wedding

Me waiting to get married

Me with the bouquet my aunt Debby made for me

Lola, Emily, Me, Karyn, and Heather the night of the wedding

Me with my sister- in- law Becky

James with my cousin Kalen

Rene, Jerry, Daniel, Redge, and James the night of the wedding

Mine and James' rings

My dad walking me down the isle

James and I lighting our unity candle

The whole wedding party

Me and James with the matron of honor, the best man, the groomsmen, and the bridesmaids

James and I

James and I sitting on a bench in front of a stain glass window

James and I kissing

James and I dancing to Now Baby or Never for the first time as husband and wife

My dad and I dancing the father- daughter dance

James and I trying to toast

Me during the wedding reception

Me with my lovely mentor and really good friend Sherri

My family

My wonderful hubby as a child

Me as a child

Mine and James' beautiful teddy bears

The song my grandpa wrote for James and I

Me with Jerry Krahn right after the Titan Hot Seven Halloween set

James and I selling for Ivory and Gold... my mom maid those hats for us

It has been awhile since I updated. The last time I updated was after the Sacramento Jazz Jubilee. There has been a lot going on and I have been keeping busy. James and I graduated Fresno State in May and we just got our diplomas in the mail a few days ago. I have been planning the wedding with the help of my friends and family and I have been trying to stay cool. I just started a new job today and I love it so much. I am a preschool aide at Century Elementary and the kids seem to love me and the teacher and I got along great. I even got a goodie from one of the students that go on Tuesday/ Thursday. James and I even went to the Mammoth jazz festival back in July and that was such a blast. On the last day of the festival I got to swing dance with Megan. Things have been a bit crazy in the apartment we are managing. James is also still looking for a job and he is having no luck, but he keeps pushing forward and I just know one day he will find the perfect job. I hope to update the blog more often especially since I have a job now and I can update with how my job is going.

2010 Sacramento Jazz Jubilee

So it is that time where I update you on my memories of the jazz festival. James and I left on Thursday and got to Davis by 12:30 pm. On Friday we went to the opening parade that started at 11:45 am and then we walked around for a bit. Then at 2:30 pm we headed over to the Depot to get our badges and sell cds for Blue Street. Then after getting some treats James and I headed back to the Depot at 5:30 pm and watched Hal Smith's Hayriders. Then at 7 pm we headed to the Firehouse Court Yard to sell cds and watch Blue Street play. After Blue Street James and I got onto the shuttle and went to the Hyatt Ball Room to watch Anita play with Hal Smith's Hayriders. After that set James and I talked to Anita for a bit. Then after talking to Anita for a bit James and I went to the Sheraton Grand Nave Ballroom and ended the night with 101st Army Dixieland Band. On Saturday James and I started at 1 pm selling cds and watching Blue Street in the Holiday Inn Ballroom. Then at 2:30 pm we headed over to the Hyatt Ballroom where we watched the Arbors "Statesmen of Jazz" with Georgia and some of the rest of the New Orleans Ale Stars. After that set James and I stayed and watched Molly Ringwald's Quientet. After that set I bought Molly's book and had her sign it for me and then I headed over to the Yolo Room to sell cds and watch Blue Street play. After the Blue Street set James and I went to the Sheraton and had a graduation cocktail with Sherri, Matty, Rod, and Judy. After our graduation cocktail James and I went and sold cds for Blue Street in the Sheraton Grand Nave Ballroom. After that set James and I got a cocktail and then later we joined Georgia and had a shot of Tequila. On Sunday James and I went and sold cds for Blue Street at 10 am at the Turntable Junction. Then at 1 pm we went to the Railroad Museum and watched Blue Street Combo. Then after James and I got a bite to eat we joined Matty and some of Matty and Sherri's friends, so at 2:30 pm we went to the Riverfront Refuge and watched Billy Mata and the Texas Tradition. Then Matty's parents joined us and Matty bought James and I a cocktail and after we finished at the Firehouse Lot we all went to Freeway Gardens at 4 pm and watched Louis Ford and His New Orleans Jazz Flairs. Then at 5:30 pm we all joined Sherri and went to the Delta King Paddlewheel Saloon and watched Loose Marbles. Then at 7 pm James and I met Sherri and Matty at The Whistle Stop because I was starting to feel like I was getting seasick while I was watching Loose Marbles. James and I sold cds for Blue Street at The Whistle Stop and then after that set James and I joined Matty, Sherri, and Matty's parents for dinner and Sherri and Matty bought me a cocktail and Sherri proposed a toast to James and I for graduating. When we finished Matty's parents dropped us all of at the Hyatt and James and I went to the Hyatt Ballroom to watch Loose Marbles and Sherri joined us a bit later. During the Loose Marbles Georgia and Bria bought me a beer and then James and I joined all the musicians at the Sheraton for a party. James and I ended up getting stranded, but Georgia gave us money to catch a cab to the Holiday Inn so we could get our car and head back to Davis. On Monday James and I started at 10 am at the Freeway Gardens selling cds for Blue Street. After that set Sherri pulled me a side and gave me the best girl talk ever and I didn't even ask for it. Then James and I went to the Firehouse Lot at 11:30 am to watch Hal Smith's Hayriders. Then at 1 pm James and I went to the Riverfront Refuge to watch 101st Army Dixieland Band's patriotic set. Then James and I ended our festival at 2:30 pm at the Freeway Gardens with the closing ceremony. The highlights of this festival was Sherri singing Now Baby or Never and looking over at the cds table and pointing to her ring finger because that is the song James proposed to me to, hanging out with Georgia and some of the other New Orleans Ale Stars, partying with Georgia on Saturday, partying with Georgia and the musicians on Sunday, seeing Molly Ringwald and her quintet, meeting Molly Ringwald and getting her to sign my book I bought, going out to dinner with Sherri, Matty, and Matty's parents, getting to hang out with Matty, Matty's parents, and Matty and Sherri's friends for awhile, having a graduation cocktail from Matty and Sherri, getting Blue Street's new cd, getting Bria's cd, getting Hal Smith's Hayriders' new cd, and getting Gino's cd, finally getting to meet John Wilder, Jon- Erik Kellso, and Bob Embry, meeting Benji Bohannon, having a girl talk with Sherri without me asking for it, Sherri and I being asked if we are sisters and Sherri saying yes, and of course I can not forget the ever popular "Shhhhh we are trying to enjoy the festival" joke.

Molly Ringwald

Molly Ringwald's Quintet

Blue Street Jazz Band

Dave and Sherri

My lovely mentor and wonderful friend Sherri

2010 Dixieland Monterey

So it is that time where I update you on my memories of the jazz festival. Anyways, James and I arrived in Monterey at 11 am and we checked into our hotel and then at 11:30 am we went and watched Titan Hot Seven. After watching Titan Hot Seven we went to the Hospitality room and had a bit to eat. Then at 2:30 pm we ended up watching Titan Hot Seven and after that set James and I went to go catch Katie Cavera to get our Super Fan buttons which are perfect and I got to meet RaeAnn. Then at 4:30 we went and sold for Ivory and Gold and that is when I got to meet Tom Warner. At 7:30 pm James and I helped Anne out and sold Cds for We 3 since she had to go get set up for her next set. Then at 8:30 pm James and I went and sold CDs for the Barnhart- Midri quartet. On Saturday James and I woke up and started our day at 10:30 am with the International Sextet. Before the band started James and I talked to the band members and we got to talk to RaeAnn some more. Then we went to the Hospitality room to eat and relax a bit. Then at 1 pm we went and watched Titan Hot Seven play. After Titan Hot Seven James and I went and sold for Ivory and Gold at 3 pm. We ended up meeting and having a nice talk with Jim Martinez. After Ivory and Gold James and I ended talking to the directors of the Monterey festival and then we walked to Gilbert's and watched auntie Yve play. When Auntie Yve saw us she told the audience that she was going to be marrying James and I in October. Then James and I went and got some food and then we went to go listen to We 3. After the We 3 set James and I went to go watch Titan Hot Seven at 7:30 pm and then we ended the night with Blue Street. Then on Sunday James and I started our day at 9 am and we sold cds for the Barnhart- Midri Quartet where I got to dance with Tom Warner. After that set I was asked if I was Jeff's daughter and Jeff told the lady I wasn't, but when I told him " no remember Kymmi and I decided you were our adoptive parents" Jeff said that is right "these are our adoptive kids." Them James and I went at 11 am to go watch Auntie Yve play and at that time auntie Ava called and auntie Yve had the whole audience say hi. Then James and I went and sold cds for Ivory and Gold. After Ivory and Gold James and I ran down stairs to go get some food and then we went to help Anne sell for We 3 and we listened to We 3. Then at 3 pm James and I watched the last Titan Hot Seven set where we got to meet Jim Buchman the newest Titan Hot Seven member. The highlights of this festival was being asked if I was Jeff's daughter, Anne giving me a beautiful choker and telling me she thought of me when she saw it, Anne giving James and I some unfiltered red wine, Anne giving me some red roses, finally meeting RaeAnn and Tom, meeting Jim Buchman, Anne making a sign that said toilet and pointing to where the bathroom was so she could save her voice, meeting Jim Martinez, getting to dance with Tom, and getting mine and James' super fan button that Katie Cavera made for us!

My red roses from Annie Barnhart

Me and James selling CDs

Me and James selling for Ivory and Gold