Camping

Twice a year my Sunday School class goes camping in Brownwood. Now you might not think of me as the camping type, but I have been trained well. The first few times I actually stayed in a hotel and showered. Now I am very good at sleeping in a tent and not complaining at all about being dirty.

This time I took off Friday and left at 5am to go with the group. It was very worth it. I got to shop for the food, set up tents, find firewood, rode around a lot in the truck, and did plenty of sitting by the fire. That night the wind was very strong bringing in the big cold front. It actually got down to 34 and we heard all of it. Not a very restful sleep.

Saturday we got up and ate a very tasty breakfast made on the fire. The best part if breakfast was my "toad in a hole". I had never had a fried egg in bread before. It was a little messy, but good. We then saw more of the ranch and found a hidden spot out of the wind for lunch. I got to ride the 4-wheeler with lots of exciting bumps and fast turns. Saturday evening I did a little fishing an then had a great dinner of taco soup. The afternoon was very warm and pleasant and had no idea that it was going to get down to 24 that night. Wow it was cold.

The next day we had a yummy breakfast. Sunday we did some more hiking and packed up to head home. The car ride is always fun as well. It also feels great to get a hot shower when we get home.

Here are a few more pictures of the weekend.

There were not many bluebonnets this year. This is one of the few.

Much of the food was cooked under this. Kyle worked hard at loading my backpack with rocks.

After climbing Harry's Mountain, always carve our initials in the catus and look for it the next time we come.

Group picture.

We had a great time. Thanks to the Whites for being such great host.

Spring Break

I desperately needed a spring break this year. The kids at school get very wild when they know a break is coming. Open house was also right before spring break so we were very stressed. I didn't go anywhere or do anything that exciting for the break, but did enjoy several different
activities. My mom came up one day for a little shopping and I enjoyed the beautiful weather everyday. I went "running" several days in the park and sat outside to do some reading. However, I did get too much sun on my legs. I love the warm sunshine and hope that it sticks around for a while.

All last weekend I watched Baylor play some great basketball. I am so proud of of Bears. I went down to Waco Wednesday night to watch the Men play the first round of the NIT tournament. It was a very exciting game. I can't wait to watch both play again this weekend. I also have about 7 free Lady Bear t-shirts to give away. Let me know if you want one.


One night I got to go over the Chris and Alison's for leftovers and playing the Wii. That was a very fun night. Jamie and Alison were great teachers.

Pamper, Potatoes, & Pie

So about two weeks ago I help host a baby shower for our Sunday School leader Jeff and his wife Darla. Because we have a very close group we decided to do a c0-ed shower. We called it "Pamper, Potatoes, & Pie”. We had a baked potato bars with lots of toppings, salad, and several desserts. I also made my first diaper cake.

I also planned a few games in order to keep the fun alive. When everyone arrived they picked a pink or blue cup depending on what they thought the baby is going to be. Each person also wrote a name suggestions on the cup. That was a fun conservation started. After everyone had a drink, I passed out ice cubes with tiny babies in the middle. The first person with the baby out of ice shouted "My water broke!!" and won a prize. It was a very fun game, although didn't last as long as I thought it would. Another game I put together was called "What did you eat!?!!" I melted different candy bars in diapers and everyone guessed what it was. Many people were very good at this game. I didn't have enough prizes but we had lots of laughs.

Thanks for everyone that helped make this night so much fun.

Peer Pressure Worked

Alright, Alright. After much peer pressure, I have decided to start blogging again. I can’t guarantee any breaking news or witty comments, but I will do my best to make my boring life seem kinda exciting. I am going to TRY not to only talk about one subject. If you start to get board – please let me know. As a little disclaimer, I am not the best speller or typist, and I think the G on my keyboard gets stuck . So good luck decoding my thoughts.

Health update: Since this blog started to keep you updated on my heart condition I will let you know that I am doing great. The doctors released me in October to do anything. I will see the doctor again in June for a check-up. I am not as tired as I was before and I can exercise a little more than before. One of my goals was to do an aerobics class without having to walkout in the middle. I have taken several classes and survived them all. Another goal is to become a “runner”. I try to “run” a few times a week. I more run/walk. I sometimes run on a treadmill and sometimes outside. Let me just tell you that outside is a lot harder. So when I started, I said I would want to run a mile without stopping. After a few months of this, thinking I was improving, wow, a mile is a long way outside. I am going to keep working on it and remember that my body still works different than others. Alright I am now board of this topic, moving on.

So I went to the dentist today. If you know me well or have been around me a lot the past two years you know that I HATE going to the dentist. I like my dentist a lot and LOVE my dental hygienist, Kathy . It is my own anxiety that makes me cry almost every time. I have found a Christian office that “caters to cowards”. That basically means they won’t tell me my fears are silly and even better, they will sedate me if I can’t take it. Let me just tell you how I love to be sedated. Although it cost more than I would spend on a good pair of shoes and the whole day is lost, I don’t remember any of the procedure, and that is worth it to me. My dentist even made sure that the next time I come I get sedated if it is not just a cleaning. He reminded me that everyone remembers how bad it was one time. I know I am crazy.

So today when I went just for a cleaning I didn’t cry. Be proud. I rewarded myself afterwards with a big cherry vanilla sonic coke. Actually I always get a sonic coke after.

So the rest of my spring break I will be anxious free of the dentist. Look for more post soon – it will be non health related I promise. I will also work on getting more pictures in. I know that's what you all love.

Nothing New

So someone mentioned to me that I need to update the blog. There has not been much new to actually report on.

I am still feeling great. I am usually tired at the end of the day, but after a good nights sleep I am ready to go again. I will see my doctor again November 7th and do another 24 hour monitor to check to make sure everything is still working correctly.

If you want to see the x-ray of the wires on my brestbone let me know. It's kinda cool. My scar is starting to fade very slowly. I wish it were a little faster, but it dose not botther me. One person was surprised that I was not concerned about hiding my red scar. I have had a previous scar my whole life and therefore, I think I would look strange WITHOUT it. It is part of me.

School is going great. It was overwhelming the first week jumping into the middle of everything. I love my kids but still feel like I am getting to know them. Everyday is different and exciting. Let me know if you need any cute kindergarten stories.

I will not post again until I have any new heart updates. My regular life is not eventful or exciting enough for all the world to read.

Thank you for all the thoughts, prayers, gifts, concerns, and kind words. I know this recovery would not have been this easy if I had not had all the support from everyone.

First Days of School

My first day back was great. All the kids knew who I was ans were very excited to meet me. I mostly watched Ms. Smith (my sub) teach most of the day so I could figure out her little routines. Around 9:30 I was very overwhelmed, but felt better by the end of the day. All the kids kept waving to me, telling me they new my name, and giving me random hugs. They are all real cute and so small. I always forget how little they come.
It was also so great to see my kiddos from last year. I got lots of hugs at recess. I was very tired when I got home that evening and stayed on the couch all night fighting to keep my eyes open.
Friday was very busy. I woke up making lots of list and never stopped moving. I taught most of the day and Ms. Smith helped answer more questions. I was glad she stayed to help the transition. I stayed extra late to get little things done and brought several projects home. Monday I will get a chance to put in more of my routines. Dulcy is going to come to help me. What a blessing.

My energy level was very good both days. I even ended up doing a little cardio activity Friday. Its not a kindergarten day if I'm not running somewhere and jumping up and down with the kids.

Its good to be back. Thank you all for the encouragement and prayers. I could not have done it without you.

" My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness.'' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weakness so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insult, in hardship, in persecution, in difficulties. For when I am weak I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12: 9-10

I MADE IT!!!

I was FINALLY able to see my doctor today. He released me to work and do anything else I feel like doing. I can start working out and lifting things. YEA!!!!!! Apparently, I have done so well because I was motivated to get back to life. I think it had a lot to do with all the wonderful encouragement and prayers. Thank you friends.

I hope to go back to work latter this week. Please pray that it is smooth transition for the kids and that I will have the energy to do my job well.