Holidays...

This holiday season was a little rough. Our family has lost many loved ones this year and last week we lost Grandmother (my dad's grandmother) at the age of 94. While at her funeral I couldn't help but be thankful for having her in my life all of these years. She did not suffer from cancer or any other illness other than those that occur as someone simply dies of old age. She had dementia, had good days and bad, but lived a complete life knowing that God was her savior. I can only hope to live a life as full and complete as hers.

Every holiday that I can spend with my family is a gift in itself. We began last weekend and spent Christmas with David's mom, dad, and siblings. It is crazy how things have changed in the last couple of years.







Later that evening we went to my Grandpa Jerry's and Grandma Ronnies. We had a great time and watching the kids open their presents and later had an adult game that was quite interesting thanks to Dana for "shaking it up." Cant wait until next year.

All Monday and Tuesday I spent the day and night shopping with my mom who is the last minute shopper every year. She works too much and next year I am forcing her to take off so we do not have to fight the crowds. After buying a few things here and there and getting really sick of the madness- Dana and I decided we would settle on new purses for Christmas and be done. Mom was worried we would be dissappointed, but I love my new COACH and am very HAPPY (: My husband also made me very happy! I asked him not to buy me things cause I would rather get my windows tinted and my door fixed from the whole locking my keys in the car denting the door fiasco. He got me a new pair of Nike's which I love and a comfy pair of leopard houseshoes. He also got me a wallet to match my purse but I refuse to carry a wallet that costs almost as much as the purse so we are taking that back and getting my windows tinted.

Chrismas Eve was spent with David's Dad's family first and then my Mom's side of the family later. At David's Aunts house every year we have to all share something we are thankful for. I said I was thankful for being finished with school and David said he was thankful for me! That really made me feel special! Christmas Day we went to David's mom's side and then to my Dad's side. By that afternoon we were wiped out! After a long nap Granny came over and we took our First Annual PJ picture. My cord to my camera is at school- so I will have to post the rest of the pictures from this Christmas later.

I hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas as much as we did. I am very thankful to have the friends and family that I am so blessed with!

Graduation

Yesterday was my Graduation and after the week I had I was just ready to get it over with. With school and getting ready for my party after graduation I was tired and frustrated and really wanted to just chill out at home.

My frustration only rose as I arrived to graduation. It was the most unorganized events I have ever attended. I am a "C" in the alphabet and somehow the "P" people were sitting behind me?? Then we are supposed to arrive at 2:15. At 2:50 we were lined up ready to start the procession when about 50-100 of the 487 graduates (all foreigners) walked in at 3:00 without their cap and gown on. I was like "you have got to be kidding me?!?" SO Graduation was delayed. Then after the procession ended- the President of the University began his speech. About 3-4 minutes in- in walks about 50-100 more graduates that they forgot to put in line. At this point I was ready to just walk out. But about half way through the speeches it dawned on me what a major event this was in my life. I have worked so hard and actually kept a 4.0 throughout the last three years. I have not really let myself be excited or proud- because to me it was just part of my plan. But I now realize what a huge accomplishment it is.

During the R's my parents and David got up and went to the car. My brother was gone after they called my name. So when we walked out I was surprised to see my husband still there by the door waiting on me. I assumed he went to the car with everyone else. But there he was. He gave me a huge hug and told me how proud he was. I don't think he really understands how much that simple gesture meant to me.

When we got home we walked in and there was this beautiful spread of food and my guests had already started to arrive. We had a blast and I am so thankful to all of you who came. It really meant a lot to me to have so many people come celebrate! Finally at around 3:00 this morning- David said we are going home! I am so tired today but had such a great time last night.

I am blessed!

Now after all the hell we have been through with my car being totaled I look back and can see that we are very blessed. David was not injured, I got a new car (that I LOVE) that is nicer and cheaper, and we are moving on. I tried to take some pictures to put on here, but it is dark outside and the car is black so they did not come out very good. I did get some of the dash and my favorite part- the black and red leather seats.




It has a sunroof and a sync package. I love the sync feature. I can sync my ipod and my cell phone and talk through my radio. It is very cool!

Lots Going On...

I haven't blogged in a while. I have been so busy at work and wrapping up my final project for my leadership course. I can now say I am officially DONE!! Yeah! We had a ceremony here in Mesquite and I had to make a speech. Several people came and supported me: my mom, dad, sis, David, my mother-in-law Kim, my Nana, Aunt Jane and Aunt Stacey. We went to dinner afterwards and had a great time! Here are some pictures from that night.

Here is me, David, and his mom.


Here they are announcing my name, etc.


Here is me giving my speech


These are some pictures with me and other COHORT members from my school.


And this picture cracks me up! I am not sure why mom is making this face??




This is the sign Dana made me and hung outside my portable.


Here are pictures from dinner.






I can't wait for my December Graduation!!

New pictures

I have gotten really lazy about taking pictures lately, but did get a chance to take some new ones this week.



This is Jackson when we got his costume. After a dog fight on Halloween in which he received a gaping hole in his neck- we decided not to make him wear it. Okay, I admit I tried to put it on him, but he was not having it.



Also, the night before my car was hauled away I got really sad. I took some pictures so everyone could see the damage.






We were getting ready to leave my parents the other night and I went to get Jackson from my mom and dad's room where I thought he was sleeping with my dad. Turns out there was a dog party! Yes, all 5 dogs piled into bed with my dad to go to bed. Mine is the cute white one who stands in front of the fan beause he likes it blowing in his face. My mom and dad have the big black one, Heidi, and the puppy- Sophie. And the other two are my sisters. Mollie is looking at the camera and Kobie is ducking down.

Insurance madness

I finally got the word today that they had amounts figured for my car. They emailed me a 21 page packet to fill out and said as soon as I get that filled out they would get my check in the mail. The value of the car was about $2000 short of the owed amount so THANK GOD for GAP insurance. Did not know I had it, but I highly recommend it. In the mean time, five minutes after that phone call the auction people are calling me wanting to come pick up the car. I have not even started cleaning it out. Now I must go car shopping this weekend and I am not at all excited about it. Those people get on my nerves and the process takes entirely too long. On a positive note I LOVE my rent car. It is super cute and sporty and I really think I may look at cars now and not just SUV's.

Jackson got his costume last night and he will be a fireman this year. We took him to the groomer today and they had cuter costumes and they were on sale. I may go back and buy him a couple for the next several years. I was sad looking through my online photos because I could only find 2 of his costumes. I will have to do some digging and share those next week!

And the survey says...

My car is totaled!

I am so depressed! I LOVED my Escape and really don't want anything new. By the way, David got in another wreck- yes 2 in one week. I really cannot even get excited about car shopping.

And the bad luck continues...

So as of my last blog I was having a HORRIBLE weekend and it just kept coming... First of all I had to go to court Tuesday for school purposes and that was not alot of fun. Then on Wednesday I get a call from my mom and knew it was bad news. She never calls me at school and she had them come find me. David was working for mom and had just left her house when a girl ran a red light and hit him in my car. THANK GOD he was okay but then then DUMB teenage girl proceeds to drive off. So David has to make a u-turn go and chase the girl down. She proceeds to scream and holler at him that he ran a light not her. I guess she did not see the cars stopped in either lane beside her??? Needless to say we now have to wait on the insurance to investigate. Her grandpa is harassing us and our estimate was $50000.

Then as I am leaving on the bus to go to the opera yesterday my counselor comes out and tells me to call my mom. I am thinking "NOT again??" When I call her she tells me my Aunt Mary has passed away. 2008 has not been a great year. I will be so glad when it is over.

Just one of those days....

I had already had a HORRIBLE week. Lots of stressful things going on at work and I was ready for a long and peaceful weekend. I had started off Friday morning with a cold I caught from my mom (never thanked you for that one Mom). So Saturday I told David not to wake me up I am going to try and sleep and rest most of the day so maybe I will start to feel better. I remember waking up when he left that morning and he told me he locked the door from the outside. So when I woke up around 11 I decided to take jax on a walk around the pond. Now we do live in a trailer (RV) park so I dont really care what people think. I did not get dressed, brush my hair, or even take out my retainers. When I returned from our walk I could not believe that I had forgotten the door was locked. See when you lock it from the outside- you can open it from the inside no problem- you just can't get back in!

So...... after getting hot walking I had started to cough and not feel well again and now I am locked out. My phone is inside the trailer. Why not go to the neighbors and ask for a phone? BECAUSE I live in a RV park. (I called it a trailer park the other day and the owner corrected me- its a RV park). I sat on the steps- Jax in my lap for over 2 and a half hours until David came home. I was too tired and sick to even gripe at him- plus it really wasn't his fault. He told me later he was impressed with the way I "handled" it. He also informed me that the laundry center I don't use- because it is where the men hang out and drink beer- has a courtesy phone, a couch, AC, and a mini fridge with bottled water. Who knew?

So about 30 minutes later- I just got out of the shower and David was making lunch on this electric grill and the power goes out. No big deal- just flip the breaker-except that it would not come back on. Then David notices that our plug has melted. I try to call the owner like 3 times and no answer. I call my Dad to come help- David finds this really annoying that I rely on my Dad because I dont trust him. I have a nail appt at 4 and now I can not get ready because we have no power. I decide to throw my hair in a clip and leave. Except I get there right on time and reach into my wallet to get my debit card and guess what? NO CARD!! I call David and oops.... he forgot to ask me if he could take it and forgot to return it. I had to go all the way back home to get it- and now because I am 30 minutes late- she took another client in front of me!

Needless to say they came to fix our power problem today and we had another power failure tonight. Plus I have to leave early tomorrow and go do something I can't discuss and I really am not looking forward to it. This week is not looking any better........

I just might have a problem

So most people don't know that I really enjoy cooking. It really is one of my favorite things to do. But since we have moved into our temporary housing (i.e. trailer) there is NONE of that going on. There is just not enough room and we are out of propane, so most nights we eat out or eat at moms. This is mom's busiest time of the year so not alot of cooking going on there either and I am going NUTS!! So we went to Walmart this afternoon and bought tons of groceries and I promised to cook at her house this week if she footed the bill. We bought all these groceries and I am super-psyched to cook this week. So while I should be working on my second essay for Comps I am instead creating a menu. WHAT? Yeah I know- I am so anal! I just had to do it and post it up. I catch myself doing things like this all the time now. For example on Friday I had to make myself a weekly calendar of things that need to be done daily at school. I seriously wonder what my new obsession is?? I think I might be OCD?

Meanwhile....

Last Monday my Granny had knee replacement surgery. She kind of got booted out of the hospital on Thursday because she was not being a good patient. So mom has been over there since Friday night taking care of her. I went over early yesterday afternoon to help out and then spent the night. It brought back so many memories of being there and caring for Papaw. Papaw never complained and did whatever we asked him to do. Granny on the other hand is another story. I LOVE the fact that she is so feisty- it cracks me up. I had such a great time watching three Lifetime movies with her and mom. Especially when mom would ask dumb questions because she could not follow the movie and Granny and I would laugh at her. I am so grateful that I get to spend time with her and make memories that are priceless.

Saturday Morning

There is nothing like a Saturday morning when you have no plans for the day and you can sleep in and lay in bed as long as you please. So when David woke me up to say he was going fishing- even better- whole bed all to myself and nobody making noise and waking me up. Then my mom calls. She must be bored. She called to tell me that Travis Barker and DJ AM were killed in a plane crash. I ask myself now~ "how does she know who these people are?" Anyway so she then asked me all kinds of questions... what are you doing today.... what time are you getting up...... whats going on later..... Needless to say Dad is at the deer lease and she wants company. So I had to get up and get my laptop to see if the whole Travis Barker thing was true- according to my sources he is in critical condition - not dead. But then I had to call her back and she proceeds to tell me to get up and not sleep my life away. I remember dreaming of the day when I would move out so she could not make me get up on Saturdays to clean- but she still is making me get up! LOL. So I guess I am getting up and getting ready and going to hang out with mom today. No complaints though- I enjoy hanging out with her and am very lucky to have her.

One Tree Hill

One Tree Hill is one of my FAVORITE shows. I have watched it since the beginning and was so excited when the new season started last week. It is probably the one show I watch live and not on tivo- although I still record it just in case! Last night David and I watched it and I cried like a baby! I mean sobbing and all!!! I cannot believe they killed off Quinn in that way. The scenes from next week were even worse. Maybe my emotions are just out of wack, but I truly was still sad this morning. WOW!

On a lighter note- I get to order my graduation regalia this next week. YEAH!!!! I am so excited. Only 2 months and I graduate. I have worked so hard and still have a 4.0 at this point and am very proud of myself. I wont know what to do when I am done!?!

Today my dog made my day. I picked him up after school- no he does not stay home alone- he goes to my mom's. I am one of "those" people as Kelli calls it and I am not afraid to admit it nor am I ashamed of it. Anyway he jumped in my lap and was so excited to see me. He just barked and kissed me and was shaking all over. It was hysterical and it made the horrible day I had seem so much better.

Owl Pellets

Tomorrow is my favorite day of science the entire year! My kids get to disect owl pellets. One may ask "what is an owl pellet? Well- it resembles poop- but actually an owl cannot digest food so they regurgitate it- meaning they throw it back up in the form of a pellet. We find bones from all kinds of small rodents and get to match them up to a chart and figure out what kind of animal their owl ate for dinner. If you know me at all you know that I am a GIRLY girl. So today I went to SAMS and bought 500 plastic gloves for $5 (I thought that was a deal!) because I cannot bare to see the kids touching this with their hands- even if they have been "sterilized." We actually start off tomorrow by watching an episode of Dirty Jobs called "Avian Vomitologist". Very cool! Even though I have a math degree- I LOVE teaching science. I have learned so much this past year and it amazes me how much these kids are learning. I will try to take some pics tomorrow and post them so you can enjoy my science lesson too!

Going back to work....

So call me crazy but I am SO ready to go back to work. Maybe it is my current living arrangement, but I LOVE to go work in my classroom to get some peace and quiet. I really knocked it out in two half days and now I am just organizing and adding more "beach" decor. Since I spend so much time at school I like it to be cozy and clean. I covered my "worn out" couch with a turquoise cover and it changed the whole room. Next I am going to clean everything and get rid of ALL dust. This year we are departmentalizing and I am teaching SCIENCE!! I am super excited and am planning all kinds of cool stuff. Call me crazy- but I love my job!

Happy Birthday Jackson

Jackson is 4 today!!

Moving

A few months ago I had a brilliant idea. Our lease was almost up and the rent was going up again and I thought how great it would be to live in my parents trailer and save money so we could buy a house. What the he** was I thinking? First of all- the only storage big enough to hold all of our crap is $125 a month- the RV park rent is $360 a month- plus I will be using more gas. Even though we will still be saving lots of money- I wonder why I put myself in these situations? I always come up with these great ideas- then I get there and realize I am CRAZY!

I have been packing for days- filled about 20 trash bags- and walked in tonight and it looks like I have nothing accomplished. I do give props to David for getting people to help us move the furniture today and to my mom for cooking all 10 of us a home cooked meal. Needless to say I am going to start taking stuff to the trailer tomorrow and maybe it will start to feel like home. LOL. I never imagined calling a trailer a home.

On a better note- I was really afraid David would think we had no financial worries now so he could continue his year long vacation. But NO- he is so motivated. I think the whole pride thing has kicked in. When he woke up this morning he told me that he was a new man! Not sure what that means yet, but...... he told me when he went to bed tonight that he would be happy living anywhere as long as he had Jackson and me. Awwwwww....... He better find a job soon........ I hear the homeless shelters aren't that comfortable.

Papaw liked to cut a rug!

I was looking through the pictures and CD's from Papaw's funeral things and came across this video from a few months ago. I had to share to show how much fun Papaw was and how much he loved us Grandchildren. I love you Papaw and miss you more each day!

Tom Thumb!

So I went to Tom Thumb today to pick up some groceries for David while I am gone to Austin. I had a list so that I could get in and out because I have a million things to do before I leave. I walk in and BAM! The whole store has been rearranged. It takes me 30 minutes to buy a few things and through all of my frustration I forgot Jackson's dog food. How could I forget the most important man in my life? LOL!!

I am leaving for Austin with my Mom in the morning. Really excited for a girl's ONLY trip. Though it is for work we are going to hit up the outlet mall and 6th Street. Plus we are staying in a SUPER nice hotel with a Starbucks built inside. Should be a lot of fun. It seems in the rush of getting back from San Antonio and the super busy weekend I had I forgot to tell my husband I was going to Austin. OOPS.... Sorry Babe!

I got back from Sea World on Thursday. We had a great time and the weather was perfect! To my suprise I came home to a perfectly clean house! I guess David realized he missed me!! LOL!! Last night we went to Kelli and Aaron's house and had such a good time. I love spending time with their boys. Jackson says my name now and it is so darn cute. He actually said David's a few times too. Garrett is so sweet- BEST baby- only cried once the whole time we were there.

Tonight was family night. We went to Ojedas for my Nana's 70th, Uncle Danny's 50th, and Chase's 16th. We had such a good time visiting with family. Someone asked us the question tonight "when are you two going to have kids?" We have not been asked that question in a while. I used to say after I graduate with my Masters, but that is coming up in December. We talked about it on the way home some. We BOTH want kids, would LOVE to have them, but just not in any hurry. I guess the Lord will bless us with a baby when the time is right. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Headed to Sea World!

So I am up way too late and have not even packed and am leaving tomorrow for San Antonio with Jaime and the Girls~ so excited!! David was all for it at first, but I think he is gonna miss me!! Then in two weeks I am headed off to Austin with my mom. FUN FUN FUN!! I think a liitle bit of time apart is just what David and I need.

There is not a day that goes by that I dont think of Papaw. When I wake up at night I look around and expect that one day I will see him. As much as it hurts I am at peace with the Lord because I know he is not hurting anymore.

Will blog this weekend with some pics and stories from Sea World!!

Papaw

The picture are from my wedding.

This weekend......

SO the weekend started off with hope. David and I planned on going to the lake house to hang out and help finish the plumbing. We were leaving early in the morning until... another argument begun. I always heard that the first year of marriage is the hardest, but it hasn't gotten any easier. We seem to argue over the dumbest things and both of us are so stubborn that we drag it out, say things that we don't mean (he better not mean them)and make the situation worse. I decided I needed some space and so I packed a bag, kissed my dog goodbye and split. I went shopping (just looking not buying) and contemplated going to the lake by myself. I had looked forward to it all week and was determined not to let him take that away from me. But if you know me you know I hate driving by myself so in the end I chickened out. Instead I spent the night at my Granny's with mom to help give her a break. We took care of Papaw so she could sleep. We cooked steaks on the grill and swam. It was really nice. Papaw wakes up off and on. He woke up around 2 and stayed awake awhile-then again at 4 and stayed awake. My heart breaks every time I look at him. I cant hold myself together so I sneak out of the room for awhile. Everything hurts him- when we have to move him he grimaces and makes the most awful faces. I always tell him I am sorry for hurting him and he tells me I didn't but I know that he is just saying that. I have lost loved ones before, but I have never been there first hand to watch them slowly slip away. It is truly the hardest thing I have ever experienced. I know there are lots of people praying for our family and Papaw. PLEASE ask the Lord to help him not be in pain-not to hurt when his loved ones touch him. Keep praying and thanks for thinking of us. It means the world to me.

Happy Anniversary

Today is our 3 year anniversary. It has been a long and rough road for us but we are still here. Marriage has taught me a lot. It has taught me how to give more than I have ever imagined possible. It has taught me to compromise even when I KNOW I am right. More than anything it has shown me that once you are married there are no more "my dreams"- they become our dreams and you work at accomplishing them together. Our vows have taken on a whole new meaning for me. The whole "richer or poorer" is a tough one. But today I realized that I don't want to be rich- I just want to be poor. Normal works for me~ At the end of the day although my husband is not perfect- I love him and his imperfections- because those imperfections make him who he is. People change- not the way you might want them to- but they do change. Love the person for who they are- not who they might have been.

Happy Father's Day

We spent the day today with my Papaw. He was out of it most of the day so I hung out in the pool while David helped my Uncle Ed, Dad, Kevin and Doug with the yard work. Before we left Papaw was awake and talking. He has been running a fever and not been as coherent. I was so thankful to have spent the day with him.

There is not a day that goes by that I am not so glad to have my dad. I tell him all the time he is like a Cadillac and my husband is a pinto! LOL! My dad has supported and spoiled me my whole life. When I was little he brought a toy home for me every day. I would wait at the door and say "what'd you bring me today daddy?" He was at every drill team performance and a whole lot of practices. When I cheered he was at every game. Of course he was there for every heartache and always took it as hard as I did. I always say I get my determination from my mom and my soft heart from my dad. Dad and I usually shop together at least once or twice a month. I know- my dad shops!! He calls me his personal shopper. Even if he is going to the dollar store up the street - he calls me to tag along. My dad is the type of man I want my sons (if I ever have any) to become. I know he will be a great G-Daddy because he spoils Jackson rotten already!

Happy Father's Day Dad!! You are one in a million even if you prefer store bought red velvet cake to mine!!

Our new blog...

It seems so hard to get in touch with all of our family and friends so I am creating a blog to make my life a little easier. I have enjoyed my friend Kelli's this past year and decided I would try it out.

I am currently teaching summer school and will be until July 1st. It is not bad and the money is good so why not? David is looking for another job. Please let us know if you hear of anything. His new job did not work out ):

My papaw got to come home from the hospital yesterday. It has been over a week since he had his brain tumor removed. For those who do not know (cant remember who I have told- see why blogging is so much easier) his tumor had caused him paralysis on the left side. Although he still does not have much feeling he has his sense of humor back and is more alert and responsive. He made a decision this week to not proceed with any more chemo- he wants to enjoy his time with his family and not be sick. I am so proud of him! He has fought this battle very courageously.

So David is sitting here telling the dumbest things to write because he thinks this whole thing is stupid. Next time you see him tell him how much you enjoy reading it just to prove him wrong!