Splish, Splash I was playing in the pool!

It's been a while since I've had time to update this thing. So, this will be short and sweet! This summer has been SO stinkin hot that all we want to do is swim! Temps have stayed in the upper 90's during the day. Seeing as though 3 days out of the week are spent at the pool, I thought it was only appropriate that I blog about our pool experiences! :)

We go to the 4 Seasons pool about 3 times a week. Before we talk about the kids...let's just take a second to talk about this amazing place!!! The first time Jamie took me, I couldn't believe my eyes. There are 4 different types of pools. We go to the family pool. It's a huge area with about 5 pools, none of them are deeper than 3 ft. There is also a beach area where the kids can go and play in the sand. Right when we arrive at the pool we are greeted by someone that is taking our order, poolside. :) We start off with milkshakes for the kids and smoothies for us! After we finish our beverages, we order our lunches (keep in mind, we never have to leave the pool) and about 30 min later we have a table with our lunches all set up. After lunch, we get back in the pool for about 45 min or so, depending on what time it is. Then, we sadly pack up and head home for naps. :(

Alright, so back to the kids...Campbell just this week started going under water on his own, which is so wonderful b/c they both are starting swim lessons next week. Caden usually gets knocked down a few times and comes up with a smile on her face. They both just love the water.

Here is a really cute pic of the kids together. It's very rare for me to get them together for a picture, so pretty much I gotta take what I can get!


I hope that everyone is having a fantastic summer! Oh wait...how could I forget!!! On my days off on the weekends are spent @ the lake. One of my really good friends boyfriend has a boat. So, we go out on Lake Ray Hubbard to knee board, wake board and just enjoy ourselves! Well, I decided to knee board and to my astonishment, I was able to get up! That is now my new hobby!

You mean I get PAID to play with kids?!

I had the BEST week @ work last week. We went to the park, play-groups, singing classes, took lots of walks and just most of all had a lot of laughs! I should have never doubted God, but for a while I just kept wondering "when will it be my turn to be happy?" Well, from the time I finally let go ( I think I have control issues lol) and trusted HIM for my happiness, I landed this job. I haven't been this happy (that wasn't dependent on anything or anyone) in so long, I forgot what it felt like. :) I joined a Community Group for single women @ my church. Jamie will actually lead this group and it will be held at our house 2 Sunday nights a month. We both are very excited to grow our relationship in Him thru this study. I say all this to show you that God is so amazing and will take care of us even when we think there is no hope. I have come so very far since the day that Adam and I broke up and I am so very thankful for that. I can now appreciate the highs and lows of that point in my life and look back and thank God for allowing me to go thru all that, just so I can learn who I am and what I want out of my life. I am enjoying my life here in Dallas and so very thankful that He picked this family for me!

I know that most of you know that I was a nanny for a wonderful family in Lewisville, TX for about a year right before I moved back to Longview. I have kept in touch with them thru emails ect. But, now since I'm back here in Dallas I got the opportunity to go and visit them. We had a great time catching up. Lu Lu was just 2 when I started and she's now 4 1/2, John Davis was just six weeks old when I started and he is 2 1/2. They have both grown up so much and it was a great time. Here is the pic I got from that evening!

What an amazing time in my life! :)

I made it to the big city of Dallas! I am here and loving every single second. I got here on Tuesday night and met up with some old/new friends for dinner. Then I officially moved into the house on Wednesday morning. I haven't started work yet, but have been hanging out with the kids and having a grand ole time. I will report to duty on Monday ;) It's been great seeing friends and visiting some families I babysat for. I've been going and going since I got to town, but it's been so wonderful seeing everyone.

I don't know how much time I will have to update this once I start working, but I've heard from several people that yall have really enjoyed this. So, I will do my best to keep it updated! I'm planning on buying a camera on Monday and will take some pictures of the kids and the house etc.

Have a great weekend everyone!

GOT THE JOB!!! :)

I couldn't be happier right now. I will be moving to Dallas next week sometime. My official start date is Monday May 18th. But, I may move a lot sooner. I am not subbing anymore, so I have the next week and a half to play! :) God has truly blessed me with the sweetest family! The kids and I had a blast the last few days. I got to bond and play and just run around all day with them. I kept thinking...I'm getting PAID TO PLAY! :) Jamie (the mom) and I have bonded in a much faster way than I ever expected. I know God placed her in my life for a very specific purpose and I can't wait to see how He is going to nurture and grow our relationship. We tell everyone that we feel like we are sisters. We are truly that close. We stayed up talking and laughing and just hangin out after the kids went to bed. I can't describe the happiness in my life right now. I have truly let everything and yes I mean everything stay in my past. I am moving on and not looking back! God has a super plan for me in Dallas for at least the next 2 years. I signed a 2 year agreement with her and hopefully stay with them for many years to come. Thank you all so very much for your prayers. This is evidence that God answers prayers in the most amazing way possible. I just had wait for His timing and it was all so very worth it! "Prayer changes everything because it releases God's wisdom into your circumstances." -- Joyce Meyer

I got to have a little "play" time with my girlfriends on Saturday. We went to the Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert and Lady Antebellum concert. It was pouring down raining the entire time, but we had the most fun. We sang and danced all in the rain. Here are some pictures to prove just how much fun a concert can be in the rain! :)

Is this a dream?! :)

So, I am not going to even interview with the family in Frisco now. This other family is just too good for words! :) I'm going to spend the night with them on Friday night and she has a massage therapist that comes to HER HOUSE and she will get one and then she made an appt for me to get one right after her!? I'm in heaven! She has a membership @ the 4 Seasons and she goes there for the pool on the weekends! :) Id get 3 weeks paid vacation. I'll travel with her and the kids this summer to CA, WY and CO! We found out that she attends the same church I attended when I lived in Dallas (Watermark) and we will go to church together on this Sunday and then I'll work (paid of course) till Wednesday! :) She will also offer a free gym membership to any gym I want! YAY!!! She told me today that she does quarterly raises. Are you kidding ME?! Anyway, I am just so thrilled. There was a reason I haven't been able to find a family and this is why...HE was waiting for me to meet her and her adorable kids!! :)

My life is GREAT! God is even BETTER!!! :)

Well, I will be heading to Dallas this weekend to now interview with 2 families. The first one I will interview with just found me on enannysource last night. We've been emailing all day. They are offering me $100 more a week that the family in Frisco. My day would end @ 4. The kids are 2 and 1. I would have my hands full, but right now, I think I need to be very busy! :) I'm going to attach some pictures of this beautiful family. Oh and the biggest difference is she is a single mom. I won't go into details but, she is a strong Christian lady and I would be HONORED to work for her!

Now the other family has 4 1/2 year old triplets and a 12 yr old. So, that right there can sum up the whole family! :) My hours with this family would be 6:30am-9am and then pick them up from pre-school and school @ 3 and wouldn't get off until 8:30 or 9. I don't have any pictures of this family, but they are very adorable as well.

As you can see, I will once again ask for your prayers. I know God has an awesome plan for my life and I just want to do what HIS will is for me!

Won't be leaving on a jet plane anytime soon!

Alright, well I got this email yesterday :

Hi Colleen - As much as I hate to say it ... I think this just may not be the right partnership. So sad. I really wish you all the best and hope you find a good family. Thanks and good luck!! Kris

So, that makes things REAL easy for me! :) I've contacted the family in Frisco and she is waiting for her husband to get back in town and will call me after she talks to him. I have a good feeling I will get this job.

Anyway, just wanted to keep ya posted on the progress!!! Have a GREAT weekend. I am SO excited, I'm going to have lunch tomorrow in Houston with an old jr. high best friend, Kyann Goode. I haven't seen her since I was like a sophomore. So, we are goin to be like lil girls, laughing and catching up! I can't wait!!!!

VA? Not so much!

Alright, some MAJOR changes have happened since I last posted. The family in VA has totally changed everything on me. They once offered an okay salary and a car for me. Well, now they have backed down on the salary by $100 and now they are thinking they can't afford to get a 3rd car. I was VERY upset the night I got the email, but then quickly God reminded me that HE is in control and if this isn't the family for me, there IS a family out there that will be even more perfect. So, I got back on enannysource and emailed a lot of families. Well, the family that responded to me was a family I interviewed with back in March. I have decided that I need to purchase a vehicle in order to stay here in TX, which is what I really want now. I talked with the mom tonight and they have told me that if I buy a car, they will hire me. I will get the EXACT salary I wanted and still have quite a bit of money left over each month for savings! So, as of tonight, I am still flying out to VA this weekend. But, I am not NEAR as excited as I was before. Right now, it looks like Frisco will be my new home! :) But, God knows and HE is the one in control here! So, we shall sit back and pray!!!

One week from today!

I have had a lot of people ask about how my job hunt is going, so I figured I would send a quick update. I leave one week from today for my interview. I will be out there Sunday, Monday and fly back on Tuesday evening. I will get to spend the day with the whole family on Sunday when I arrive and then spend Monday and a lil bit of Tuesday with their current nanny and the 2 kids, Ava and Dean. I have prayed and prayed and if they offer me the job, then I will gladly accept the job and probably start work the 2nd weekend of May. I hope that you all will continue to pray for me as some of you know there as been some hesitation on my part. I won't go into details, but I need all of your prayers. I know that if God wants me there, then I know that I can't go wrong. :) I love you all so very much and thank you for your support and prayers!

Where in the heck is Ashburn, VA!?

Well, I have had a lot of people ask me where Ashburn is. I felt sort of silly not only not knowing where it was but not having a clue about this city I will probably be a resident of by the end of the month. So, I did a little research and found a great website that told me some random facts about this town!

- Ashburn VA is 30 miles west of Washington, DC in Loudoun County, Virginia. The County is part of Virginia's Hunt Country and has a number of horse farms. Loudoun's population is the fastest growing of all counties in the United States, and Ashburn itself has over 50,000 citizens

-Ashburn is home to the Washington Redskins football team, the National Crash Analysis Center and the Old Dominion Brewing Company

-Ashburn has premier golf courses, two Universities, and is conveniently located between Washington Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County Hospital. Ashburn is home to AOL, Verizon, Equinix , the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) at Janelia Farm, and many other hi-tech corporations.

Now, I understand it's a pretty large city. So, I found the community in which I will be residing and found this information!


General Information
Belmont Country Club is a 1,933 unit gated community that will consist of 886 single-family homes, 849 townhomes, and 198 multi-family homes when completed. The luxury golf community features a clubhouse based on the restored and expanded historic Belmont Plantation Manor House (see the Ashburn History section for more about Belmont Plantation). Belmont Country Club's entrance is at the intersection of Russell Branch Pkwy and Ashburn Rd, 3/8 mile south of Route 7.
The community is nestled on 1,100 acres with the c. 1799 Belmont Manor House, now part of the state-of-the-art 38,000-square-foot Clubhouse, featuring private dining, concierge, spa, and business center. Outside is a spectacular 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature golf course. Belmont�s separate Swim and Tennis Center and full-service Recreation Center boast a 25-meter competition pool, zero-depth children�s activity pool, diving well and toddler pool, tennis courts, multipurpose and basketball courts, volleyball pit, and indoor aerobic and fitness facilities.
Belmont Country Club was developed by Toll Brothers, a Fortune 1000 company and the eighth largest home builder by revenues. Toll Brothers was formed in 1967 and began work on Belmont Country Club Manor House in 1998 and started building homes in the community in 1999.


Now, I feel very informed and hopefully you do as well!!! :)

It's Official...

I will be flying out of Houston, TX on April 25th and arriving in Washington D.C. @ 3pm. I will be there until the 28th. That will give me some time to get to know the parents and have a full day with the kids. I am super-duper pumped!!! :)


On another "official" note. My sister Emily got engaged this afternoon to a wonderful guy named Jeff Siemens. He had been planning this proposal quite some time now. He did a GREAT job @ keeping Em on her toes. After talking to her this afternoon I can now tell her life is "complete." I am so excited for her. They will be planning an October wedding there in East, TX! :) Next weekend, we are going to Houston to shop around for the perfect dress for her. Oh, what a fun filled weekend we will have now!!! I love Jeff and can't imagine anyone else for her. He has been the best boyfriend ever and I can't wait to call him my brother! I love you Jeff and Emily! Congrats!!

I'm leaving...on a jet plane!!! Wahoooooo!!!

Alright, well, I haven't gotten the job...YET, but I am going on a jet plane for an interview! I am supposed to be looking up flights right now, but I'm just so excited I had to post first! I just got off the phone with such a great family. They want to fly me out for an interview ASAP. She really wanted to fly me out this weekend, but it was too short of notice for the both of us. Next weekend, my sister is coming to visit, so it looks like it will be the weekend of the 17-18th. I would be starting May 1st. So, the quicker I get out there to interview, the faster she can hire me, the Lord willing of course! :)

This family actually found me on www.enannysource.com. So, it wasn't with my agency...oops. I don't think I'm supposed to be doing that. But, hey, this is my life we're talking about.

Anyway, so here are the details.
Ava- 2 1/2 year old girl

Dean- 11 month old boy

Town: Ashburn, Virgina ( 30 miles West of D.C.)

The mom called me this afternoon and when I got off the phone, I walked into the living room and told my mom that if she had offered me the job, I would have accepted right then and there. I "clicked" so well with her. It was so wonderful. The job responsibilities wouldn't be that much different from my other previous nanny jobs. She told me that there are so many things to do with the children there about 5-10 miles from home.

They have a nanny right now that has been with them for a year and the only reason she is leaving is to pursue her dreams as an EMT. Kris (the mom) told me that they have the best relationship with her and will be sad to see her leave. She said that this nanny has become friends with a lot of girls and would be happy to introduce the new nanny to these people. Kris also told me that their town and surrounding areas are FULL of people my age.

The nanny quarters is on the bottom floor (basement) that has been redone. It has a room, bathroom and a fully stocked bar. Hmmmm....that will be a nice perk for my "wine nights" that I will be sure to have! :) I really like the idea of being at the bottom. I won't have to worry about making much noise ( not that I'm loud or anything). It will be like a getaway area for me too.

The BIGGEST thing she told me was, that they live 5 min from a very large non-denominational church. She said that they have an amazing singles department there which has a singles Bible study on Tuesday nights. This was huge for me. I've been really praying that wherever God leads me, that I will not only have a good church to get connected to, but have a good Singles department as well! God is so awesome!!! It seems to me that it is so evident that God wants me there! I've talked to a lot of you about this move and pretty much every time I talk about it, I say that I'm so nervous about moving again. Well, after this conversation, I am not nervous a bit, in fact, I am SO incredibly excited about this. That right there tells me so much!

One of the BEST perks ( in my opinion) is a gym membership to their local gym, called Lifetime. Now, for those that know about Lifetime, then you know how amazing their gyms are. For those that don't...well, you have to check it out for yourself. http://www.lifetimefitness.com/This one was just built and she said it's one of the larger ones. It has an indoor rock climbing wall, pools, outdoor and indoor and oh I could go on and on. Since Adam and I have broken up, I've lost almost 10 lbs. So, now, I just want to tone myself up a bit and lose about 10 more. :) I'm sure this gym will help me achieve this goal and not to mention another great place to meet people.

So, in the next few weeks I ask that you say a prayer for me that it will be clear to me where God wants me to work and live for the next year. I am just so excited right now. I will sign off with a new favorite scripture of mine!

"The Lord your God is with you; the mighty one will save you. He will rejoice over you. You will REST in His love. He will sing and be joyful about you." Zeph. 3:17

Phone Interview # 1

Well, I spoke with family # 1 this afternoon. What a sweet family! Let me introduce you to the Mulvihill family. They have a set of boy/girl twins Harper and Nate. They are 4 months old and growing fast. Mom describes them as the perfect babies. :) Of course she does!! LOL They would be my focus all day long. They have a maid that comes every other week and a dog walker that comes daily. They want to make sure that I have no other distractions to keep me away from the twins. She would rather come home to a unkept house and happy babies than a neat house and bored babies. So, seeing as though I will have all my focus on the twins, this shouldn't be too hard to keep them happy. I love it when families tell me that.
They live in Montclair, NJ; which is about 12 miles from NYC. I will be so close to "The City" :) They both take the train into the city for work everyday. He works for Fox Sports and she works for PBS, both in the tv industry.
I would have my "own quarters" on the 3rd floor of the house. They have a bedroom, bathroom and tv room all up there. They would provide me with a vehicle. They also mentioned they would want me to be a part of their family. We realized after talking that they are only a few years older than I am, so bonding with them shouldn't be an issue! WOW...to be my age and have that kind of money...only in my dreams!
So, far, this family sounds great!
The journey is just beginning!

Becoming a nanny again!

Well, I never thought I'd be able to be a true blogger. I learned from my past nanny travels that everyone loved hearing my stories. So, I thought this would be a great way to share my journey of becoming a Nanny and then my life as a Nanny! :)

As of last night (3/26/09) I signed up with my old agency http://www.nanniesplus.com/ to start my adventure of becoming a nanny again. I was very pleased with them and they were super friendly so I figured I'd give it a go! They were very excited to hear from me again, whether they really remembered me or not, it made me feel great!

I have been really scared and nervous about leaving the lone star state again. I truly feel like this is my home and I don't want to live anywhere else. But, I just got out of a very difficult break up and figured that I should put my wings back on and sail away for a year. The past few years I've made some very unwise choices financially. I have not had a job where I was able to make enough that I was able to set aside money for savings, college etc. Being a live-in nanny will allow me to do that. I signed a year contract only to allow myself the freedom to come back home if that's the Lord's will. If that is in His will, I have told myself I will finish my degree there in Longivew @ LeTourneau University where I am 2 years shy away from graduating with a degree in Elementary Education.

I have been on my knees about this move. I have a sweet friend (Shawanah Reece) who told me the best advice I've heard yet. She told me "Colleen, God is going to heal you of this break up no matter where you live." She was so right on. I love all my friends so very much and I know that yall will support me and love me wherever I end up! :) Remember, I've only signed a year contract! I will be making enough money to fly in for important events. Don't forget about mine and Jen's "30 Flirty and Fabulous Bday Party" we are having in August!

I will end on that note! I'm excited to see what God will teach me through this process. I am even more excited that I get to share my journey with yall!