Moments in Time

Christmas Pictures

2010-12-20T03:12:00.005-06:00

Getting our Christmas cards ready to mail is a lot of work when you have kids. Everyone expects pictures of the kids. So, I spent Saturday morning taking lots of pictures. Between Brandon rolling over every time I tried to take his picture on his stomach and Natalie running to the camera to see the screen even if I hadn't taken a picture, it was challenging. Of course, I can't get mad at Brandon for rolling over...he's 2 months old. To be rolling over at this stage is phenomenal. Natalie's curious nature is also endearing and she just wants to see herself on the screen. I can't blame her for that...I want to look at the screen, too. So, if you are one of the lucky ones, you will be receiving a Christmas card, letter and pictures of the kids. I'm mailing them out today! Here's a sneak peak of the pictures.

Here are a few outtakes:

Kid's Pics

2010-11-06T10:12:00.007-06:00

Brandon - Newborn

Natalie - 16 Months

Brandon Michael Middlekauff

2010-10-01T18:52:00.002-05:00

September 30, 2010
9:13 am
7 lbs 9 oz
20 3/4 in.

Brandon's Nursery - 5 weeks until due date!

2010-09-04T15:01:00.006-05:00

I had a lot of fun putting together Brandon's nursery. I found some great finds and pieced them together...I think it turned out well. The crib skirt and the quilt were on clearance at the Pottery Barn Outlet in town. The surf board rug is also a Pottery Barn Outlet find. The bumper actually started out as cloth beach mats that my friend, Mary Catherine, and I put together. I found the beach mats on clearance at Burlington Coat Factory. The mobile was pieced together with Christmas ornaments found at Garden Ridge. I used the mobile frame from Natalie's longhorn mobile...she doesn't need it anymore.

The palm trees on the wall were painted by yours truly, as well as the canvas painting of the woody (an antique surfing car). Brandon's name on the wall is actually a wall decal created by a vendor on Etsy.com (an awesome website for people to post and sell they homemade goods). The monkey hanging from the curtain rod was a great find from Burlington Coat Factory.

The wooden beach rocking chair was an unbelievable find at Garden Ridge and the surf boards on the wall were on clearance as garden decor at Michael's. The pillow, plush monkey and throw blanket were found at Ross. I had some help with some of the decor in the room. On the bookshelf, you'll find some adorable Longhorn shoes sewn together by my friend, Mary Catherine (the same one who helped me put together the bumpers). Maybe Brandon could use those shoes as an incentive to come before his due date. He'll have more football games to wear those shoes for if he would come a few weeks early. Did you hear that Brandon? You'll also find a cute monster sewn together by my friend, Lesli. The painting of the surf board was actually supposed to be a sign-in at my shower, but everyone was terrified to actually touch it with the pen. Oh well, it still makes a great addition to the room...thanks Andrew and Amy!

There's not a whole lot in this corner of the room besides the bedroom door and the closet. I would have taken a picture of ALL of Brandon's clothes, but I don't have them on hangers...yet. The beach ball was a fun clearance find at Michael's and the Boppy pillow cover came from a vendor on Etsy.com. Check that site out if you haven't already done so.

I think we are ready for Brandon's arrival. It's still a bit surreal that I'm about to have another baby in the house, but Brandon makes his presence known as often as possible. I hope he's trying to tell me that he's out of room and ready to come out...I wouldn't mind!

4th of July Trip to Maryland

2010-09-04T14:14:00.011-05:00

We flew to Maryland for the 4th of July. We had a great trip visiting with Jason's family and enjoying some of the sites of the area. We spent an afternoon at the city park, which was on old stomping ground of Jason's as a young boy. Natalie seemed to enjoy it, too.

Natalie also got to watch fireworks for the 2nd time in her life...she loved them at first, but fell asleep after 15 minutes. We hung out on the blanket and Natalie "read" her book while we waited.

Of course, Natalie got to meet and hang out with lots of her relatives.

We also got see old friends and meet Hunter, the son of David and Michelle Simpson.

Overall, I'd say it was a great trip!

Natalie's First Birthday (and Memorial Day Weekend)

2010-09-04T13:50:00.007-05:00

We had our church group over for Natalie's birthday. It was a lot of fun watching Natalie devour a cupcake for the first time. There was lots of good food, good company, and good memories!

Natalie got a swimming pool for her birthday from us...I think she approved! Even Baxter hung out with us outside.

For Memorial day, we hung out at a friend's house and went swimming again. :-)

Parent's Easter Visit

2010-04-06T08:40:00.005-05:00

Grandpa and Grandma Kirkland came to visit for the Easter holiday. We had a blast with them this past week and Natalie really enjoyed them. She's at a point that she can interact really well with others and is a lot of fun to play with. Of course, with grandparents comes toys and gifts and an unmeasurable amount of spoiling. All I want to know is what happened to the people I called mom and dad...these are not the same ones. :-)

Dad was busy in his workshop over the past few months. He was busy making...

A toy box:

A rocking horse:

Some toy blocks:
Of course, Natalie put him to work putting together her new toys...she's such a slave driver!

Dad also helped me with some projects around the house. They were small tasks, but much appreciated.

Mom and Natalie bonded a lot and loved every minute of it. I think Natalie is going to miss Grandma catering to her every whim.

Here are some close-up shots of Natalie in her Easter dress...she's very cute.

Natalie has a secret...

2010-02-25T17:51:00.003-06:00

I'm due October 15. It wasn't planned, but we are excited about the new addition to our family!

Go Horns!

2010-01-07T23:19:00.003-06:00

Natalie was so excited about the game, she was drooling over the prospect of winning a National Championship. No matter what the final score was, I'm proud to be a Longhorn. Congratulations to Alabama. Hook'em! \m/

Our New House!

2010-01-06T10:38:00.002-06:00

Jason and I just closed on a new house yesterday! We are very excited!

FAMILY Photos

2010-01-05T11:18:00.004-06:00

During Christmas break, we took some pics as a family. I think they turned out great!

First Christmas in Texas & 7 Months

2010-01-05T10:26:00.005-06:00

We had a lovely Christmas holiday in Austin, TX. Natalie's gifts were soon forgotten since the wrapping paper was much more intriguing. I'm sure that will change in the years to come. We stayed with my brother in Bastrop, TX (southeast of Austin). The parental units came down from Denver, so we had a big crowd. Natalie got to meet her grandpa, uncle, aunt, and cousins for the first time and she won their hearts instantly. Besides spending time with family, we also got to see our dear friends that still live in Austin. It is such a wonderful feeling to know that we have so many wonderful people in our lives. Jason and I are truly blessed! It was also fun introducing Natalie to everyone.You can always tell that you are in Texas because the flag is everywhere!

Jason and I were a bit nervous about traveling with a baby. For the most part, Natalie was great in the car. There was only one time that we had to listen to her cry and that was on our way into Austin. She wasn't the only one ready to get out of the car and eat! The trip home was much easier.
BTW, Natalie turned 7 months during the holidays. She's growing up so quickly. She's already pushing up into the crawling position and rocking back and forth. Yesterday, she started moving her knees forward a little so forward movement shouldn't be too far away. It's pretty scary!!! Baby proofing here we come!

6 Months...

2009-12-03T19:57:00.003-06:00

Natalie has now hit the 6-month mark. She's growing so quickly. Natalie is sitting all by herself now and she's starting to push-up into a crawling position. She's moving along faster than I would have hoped for...I've got to start baby proofing soon!!! She's enjoying vegetables and fruits in her diet now. It's fun to watch her eat...she gets so excited about every spoon full. She's sleeping 10-11 hours every night...that alone is a blessing from above. She's such a joy to have in our life.

A Happy Family!

Look at me...I'm sitting like a BIG girl!

Gotta start them out early...Hook'em!

Splish Splash...I was taking a bath...

A Big Step with Bruce Springsteen

2009-11-19T09:31:00.003-06:00

Jason and I had our first real outing without Natalie. We left Natalie with a good friend of ours last night and headed to Nashville, TN for a Bruce Springsteen concert. Jason and I had a blast, but it was weird not having Natalie with us. We picked up Natalie this morning and she did better than we did being apart. As I'm typing this, Natalie is sitting in my lap with an obvious look of jealousy on her face that she didn't get to go see Bruce. :-) Maybe next time.

The happy parents on a date without their daughter.

Fall

2009-11-19T09:21:00.003-06:00

I never use to care much for fall, but now that I live in a place where fall is an actual season, it's beautiful! This picture is from a tree right outside our front door. I love it!

Halloween was also fun with Natalie. We didn't go trick or treating, but we did hang out with friends at their house and helped them hand out candy. Natalie was the hit of the party.

...5 Months!

2009-10-29T15:17:00.011-06:00

9 Days Old...

5 Months Old...WOW!

We had fun at Priddy Farms in Bartlet, TN

She's a deep thinker...can't you tell?

I love pumkins!

Family Photo

Natalie is a BIG helper in the kitchen.

Natalie dancing with "Uncle Dan" at Joel and Becky's Wedding...very cute.

4 Months

2009-10-12T09:59:00.007-05:00

Weight: 11 lbs, 9 oz

Length: 24 1/2 in

I know I'm a little behind on this post, but I couldn't just skip it. This month will be full of cute pic opportunities, but the past month was not one of those times. Plus, I'm not very good at keeping the camera close by. I need to get better at that. The pics I've included today are taken by others. I'm working on doing a better job, I promise!

Let's see...4 months. She's rolling all over the place. She actually rolls to get places now. Her day care provider, Ms. Joy, says she can't keep her on the play carpet because she just rolls across the room. She's doing well in day school and really likes her teacher. When we drop her off, she always has a big smile for Ms. Joy. I'm so glad Natalie likes her teacher because it makes it easier when dropping her off each morning. She has also started laughing. I just love it!!! She is "talking" all the time now. I thought she was talking a lot before, but I was mistaken. It's really funny during church whenever it gets quiet because that's when she starts talking the most. It makes me laugh. I think she's trying to get people more involved in the worship service. Natalie has also started eating cereal. She absolutely loves it and picked up using a spoon rather quickly. I have a feeling veggies aren't going to be a problem next month.

We have lots of friends who are also having babies. I thought I would include some cute pictures of Natalie and her friends.

Natalie and Kate - BFFs

Natalie and Aubrey - a friend from mommy's work

Natalie and Reed - He's Natalie's smallest friend.

Natalie's newest friend, Miles

Natalie - 3 Months

2009-08-30T20:38:00.008-05:00

We had some fun pics taken to commemorate Natalie's 3 month mark. It's hard to believe that she's already 3 months old. She's already rolling over and it looks like she's trying to do crunches while she's on her back...I think she wants to sit up. She's not suppose to be doing this yet. Ahhhh!!!! Everyone's comment when they see Natalie is that she looks so much like her daddy. As much as I love my husband, I'm a bit jealous that she doesn't look more like me. Oh well, I love her anyway. :-)

We are also learning we have a wonderful church family that loves Natalie so much. It's a comforting feeling to know that we have so many wonderful friends when we are so far away from our families. I think it really emphasizes the importance of a true Christian community that you can rely on on a daily basis...it's not just about Sunday morning. Jason and I are truly blessed. We have more to share about our Christian community soon, but that will have to wait for another post.

Here are some of her pics!

Baby Dedication

2009-08-11T17:20:00.004-05:00

Natalie resting on my shoulder.
All our hands with a Bible.

Kate, Isabelle, Natalie, and Joy. These are the four girls that were dedicated at church. Notice that Natalie isn't sporting a head decoration...I'm not a big fan of the head bands (aka. head squeezers) or bonnets. I think Natalie looks cute without it!

We dedicated our baby at church this past Sunday. We stood before the the church and made a commitment to raise Natalie in a Christian home and the church also promised to help us in Natalie's up-bringing. She received her first Bible and the elders prayed over us. It was a good reminder of the responsibility Jason and I have to Natalie, and the example we provide for her, when it comes to her walk with God. Hopefully, she can look past our imperfections and grow in her faith in spite of us.

2 Months Old

2009-07-30T08:35:00.003-05:00

9 lbs 14 oz

22 1/2 in

Natalie is growing so quickly. I can't believe that it's already been 2 months. She's smiling now, which is always the highlight of our day. It's amazing how just one smile can brighten up my mood almost instantly. She's also holding up her head pretty well, but she's been doing that since day one. As you can tell by the picture, Baxter and Natalie are getting along pretty well. Baxter greets her first when we get home now. He will also go and lie next to her whenever she's crying. It's so cute. We know they are going to be best friends as Natalie gets older.

Yesterday, we had our 2 month visit and experienced her first shots. I have to say that I was not looking forward to it, but it wasn't as bad as I had anticipated it to be. She cried at first, but I was able to calm her down rather quickly by nursing her (a tip from a friend of mine). I'm proud to say that I did not shed a tear. I was too worried about calming her down to worry about myself. All in all, we survived!

I know this time goes by quickly and I'm trying to cherish each moment with her. It's going to be so difficult when she has to start day school on Monday. I've already bought a package of kleenex because I know it's going to be a cry fest Monday morning. The good thing is that the day school is 5 minutes from my work, so I'll be able to go there on my lunch break and feed her. I know this will help me continue to breast feed the first year like I plan to do and it will help me continue to bond with her during the day.

1 Month Old

2009-07-01T10:39:00.009-05:00

Okay, so I'm a couple of days past the 1 month date, but who's complaining. For her one month celebration, we went swimming for the first time. I'm sure for her it was like a cold bath, but Natalie seemed to enjoy it. Here are a few pics:

Speaking of baths, here is a pic of Natalie's first bath:

Of course we also got to celebrate Father's day with Jason and his parents (aka Grammy and Pappy) My heart fills with pride as I watch Jason fulfill his role as a dad. He's doing a wonderful job already and I know Natalie is in good hands. Plus, Jason volunteers to change diapers, so who am I to complain. :-)

Natalie has arrived!

2009-05-31T16:14:00.012-05:00

Natalie Marie Middlekauff
Date of Birth: May 29, 2009
Time of Birth: 12:17 am
Weight: 6 lbs, 6 oz
Length: 19 in.

Natalie's debut picture...she was so excited! :-) I'm thinking senior slide show.

We did it!

Our Support Team...Erin, Catherine, and Chris.

Lots of visitors came to see our sweet girl...these are only a few.

Grandma made it, too.
Jason and Natalie bonding at the hospital.

Close-Up

Leaving the hospital!

Unloading Natalie at home!

Baby's Room

2009-05-25T09:56:00.010-05:00

It's been a while since I've updated my blog, but I wanted to share a few pics and let you know what's going on with the baby.

Natalie's original due date is June 12th. At my last doctor's appointment, I was already 3 cm dilated (I know, I know...I can stay that way for a long time before I actually go into labor) so the doctor went ahead and scheduled an induction date for June 3rd. However, he also said that he doesn't think that I'll actually make it to the 3rd...I guess only time will tell. So now, we wait...

I've had all my showers and have received lots of stuff that will help us as we begin the adventure of parenthood. Everything has been put in it's place and is ready for Natalie's arrival. Thank you notes have also been written (finished last night) and those should all be in the mail on Tuesday. I've also finished the baby's room. Well, everything is finished except for the curtains, but Natalie won't care about the curtains. Those will get done when they get done. Here are a few pics to let everyone see what it looks like.

The baby's bedding is home made, so it's unique. We also bought a recliner instead of a traditional rocking chair. I think this will be much more comfortable. The lantern above the bed lights up, which you will see shortly, but the other lanterns are for show. I'm not allowed to paint, so they help bring in the colors of the nursery. The picture shelves on the wall are for family pics. Jason and I have put our pictures up there, but we are still waiting on the grandmothers to supply us with current pictures of our respective families so Natalie can start learning all about all those crazy relatives. :-)

Here's the lantern lit up. The 3 canvases on the wall I painted to also help bring more of the colors into the room. They are a simplified version of the pattern in the crib skirt of the bedding. The patterned fabric will also be the bottom portion of the curtains whenever those are finished. For those who are wondering, the mobile is a University of Texas mobile. Just because I live in Tennessee doesn't mean Natalie isn't going to learn about where she came from. We got to start early! Go Longhorns!

We bought an unfinished dresser to use as a changing table/dresser. It's very functional and is the perfect size. I painted the letters above the dresser to spell her name. Again, another atempt at bringing in the colors of the nursery. The lantern floor lamp ties in the lanterns from the other side of the room. The book shelves hold her books and toys...she's all set. To the left of the book shelf is the entrance into her bathroom. I didn't take any pictures of it due to the fact that I really didn't spend much time decorating it. It's got a white shower curtain with an aqua bath mat. There are shelves above the toilet that are holding all her bath accessorties. Not much to it.

Here is the last part of the nursery...a fully stocked closet. Natalie won't have to worry about what she is going to be wearing for at least the first 9 months of her life. After that, I'm sure we will manage. We've also got a ton of blankets. Between the one's she recieved as gifts and the one's my mother sent me that use to belong to me when I was a baby, I think Natalie is covered (hahaha...okay sorry...I couldn't help it).

As you can see, we are now just waiting...and waiting...and waiting...

Prego Pics

2009-03-23T14:13:00.006-06:00

Okay, Jason and I spent the weekend in Pensacola, FL. It was a nice little holiday get away even though I was coaching my volleyball team both Saturday and Sunday at a tournament in town. Basically, Jason got to enjoy an entire day of beach and basketball while I worked. Saturday morning, Jason and I walked on the beach and took a few pregnancy pics to satisfy a few people. I hope you enjoy them. The first pic is from our hotel room. I wouldn't mind waking up every morning to this.

Jason's Band's New Music

2009-03-18T23:08:00.001-06:00

27 weeks and counting...

2009-03-13T14:02:00.008-06:00

Things I'm currently experiencing with my pregnancy:

Natalie's movements are stronger. What started as light flutterings has turned into nudges that can be felt by myself and others and seen by Jason and me. It's really an odd thing to watch my stomach move around and slightly change shape with her movements. I can only imagine what that will look like as I get closer to my due date.

P.O.P. (Pains of Pregnancy) This is what my doctor calls the lower back pain and the sciatica that emerges in the later part of pregnancy. I just hope it doesn't get too much worse because I don't really want to experience what "worse" will feel like.
Decreased activity level, which means walking is about the only thing I'm able to do. I had been fairly active coaching volleyball this winter, but I now spend a lot of time on the side line yelling directions during practice. For anyone who knows my coaching style, this has been a HUGE adjustment for me. I can't even get in a ready position to pass a ball without feeling like I'm going to fall forward. Also, standing for long periods of time causes the P.O.P.'s listed above to flare up. That is something I definitely want to avoid.

Public Attention. I'm not one to try and seek attention in public, but my protruding belly doesn't always allow me to blend in. I'm learning quickly that perfect strangers feel the need to ask you questions about your pregnancy if you are standing near them in a store. Typically, I don't mind unless they come off as creepy and/or they try to touch my belly. I don't mind people I know giving Natalie a little rub, but I draw the line with people I don't know. I don't hesitate to tell them to back away and keep their hands off. It still surprises me when they act shocked by my reaction.

Body Pillow. Jason has officially been replaced by a body pillow. He's not much of a snuggler, so I don't think he minds too much. Of course, when he offers to snuggle, the body pillow gets kicked to the curb until it's needed later. I've found that I can't sleep well without one. It has made my transition from back-sleeper to side-sleeper much easier.

Pregnancy Moments. I know that it always seems like an excuse, but I'm a firm believer in pregnancy moments. I can be in the middle of doing something and draw a complete blank. It's horrible! It's even worse when I have to walk into someone's office to have them remind me how to do something on the database that I already know how to do. It doesn't happen all the time, but it's getting on my nerves. Of course, some of my fellow coworkers are getting a kick out of it.

Little Natalie - 22 wks 5 days

2009-02-12T09:36:00.004-06:00

Natalie is doing well and growing like a weed. She weights just over a pound now and is moving constantly. I can't wait for her movements to be strong enough for Jason to experience them. Everything seems to be going well for her and the doctor is very optimistic. So far, my pregnancy has been worry free and I'm so thankful to God for that. According to the sonogram tech, Natalie is very photogenic. Apparently, that is a rare thing (according to the tech). Here is her picture that was taken yesterday at my doctor's visit.

Inspiration

2009-02-10T10:37:00.004-06:00

Since I have such an aversion to the color pink, I've been putting a lot of effort into finding baby bedding that I like. Without much luck, I was beginning to give up. Then the thought came to me that I could probably make my own baby bedding (with some help from friends). So, I've been looking and I think I finally found what I've been looking for. Here's a preview.
This is going to be the fabric for the bottom half of the curtains and the crib skirt. Possibly even an accent pillow for the rocker. I'll use the colors in the pattern to create the rest of the bedding. Cream and orange for the bumper and sage green for the crib sheets. I'll use the aqua as the ties and as a trim on the bed skirt. I'll also use the colors to create art pieces to put around the room. I'm so excited and I can't wait to get started.

20 Weeks and Counting

2009-01-23T11:16:00.004-06:00

Today marks the half-way point in my pregnancy. Jason and I are very excited and nervous about all the changes that are coming our way. Of course, there are many adjustments that I'm having to face now that I never really considered before getting pregnant. I know I haven't shared too much about my personal experience with pregnancy, but here is a peak into the thoughts that have currently been occupying my mind.

1. Having a GIRL

There's always a 50% chance that the gender could go either way, but I always saw myself having a boy first. So, when the sonogram tech said it was a girl, I was a bit shocked. My first reaction to the news was, "What am I going to do with a girl?" Some of you may be laughing at me right now, but I was such a tomboy growing up and most "girly" things didn't interest me. As I thought about it more, I was quickly comforted by the fact that raising a girl is probably not as foreign of an idea as I initially thought. I know plenty of women who are not particularly girly who have daughters that are wonderful human beings. There's hope! With all this being said, I'm elated about the upcoming arrival of little Natalie and I can't wait to hold my daughter in my arms.

2. The color PINK

This goes along with the whole "non-girly" thing, but it becomes a major factor when having a girl. Pink is NOT one of my favorite colors - it reminds me of pepto bismol. My favorite color is blue and I tend to gravitate towards blue in all my decorating/clothing choices. Does anyone see the dilemma here? As I've started the registering process, it's extremely difficult to find a lot of things that are for girls that do not emphasize the color pink in a major way. I'm also not a big fan of the neutral color combinations like green and yellow (they're okay as accent colors), or anything brown (you can blame my high school's colors on that one - brown and gold). I'm trying to accept the fact that pink is in my future whether I like it or not. I even changed my blog's background and color choices to show that I'm making an effort. However, there is a line that I will not cross. I will NOT be decorating my daughter's room with pink as the main color. That's just too much.

3. A protruding BELLY

I've heard lots of people say that pregnant women are beautiful. I even think that when I'm not thinking about myself. Personally, I feel so awkward. My body is shifting into a shape that is so foreign to me. My waist line was always one area of my body that I've tried not to accentuate, but now it's become a focal point. The hardest thing to accept is the fact that my belly is just going to get bigger! This is why I'm not a big fan of taking pregnancy pics on a regular basis. I know, I know...I need to get over it!

4. Sleeping on my SIDE

Some of you may think this is a bit silly, but it goes against my regular sleeping habits. I love sleeping on my back. Now that I'm farther along in my pregnancy, that's just not an option. My shoulders and neck are sore and I'm much more restless at night now that I'm forcing myself to sleep on my side. People keep telling me that a body pillow will make it easier, but I just haven't gotten one of those, yet. Sleep is a precious thing and I know my nights of undisturbed, restful sleep are numbered. Again, this is just one of those things that I need to get over. Ugh!!!!

Introducing...

2009-01-13T19:00:00.008-06:00

Natalie Marie Middlekauff

Jason and I found out today that we will be having a little girl in June. We are very excited and I can't wait to see Jason get wrapped around her little finger. :-) She looks very healthy and that's all we could really ask for.

Of course, several of you have been bugging me about taking some pregnancy pics with my growing belly. This is going to have to do for now. I'm not really excited about showing off my "very girlish" figure right now, but I guess I'll do it just to make some of you happy. ;-)

(Disclaimer: I know most people like to keep everything about their baby a secret, but Jason and I are too excited NOT to share everything.)

Boy or Girl?

2009-01-07T09:37:00.002-06:00

Next Tuesday (Jan. 13th) is the day Jason and I will find out the gender of our baby. We have lots of people guessing what it is and so far it's leaning pretty heavily to one side. I'm not going to give that away, but I wanted to know what you think. Do you think it will be a boy, or a girl?

Just an excuse to get all dressed up!

2008-12-05T13:45:00.002-06:00

Jason and I attended the Harding Academy Junior Class Ring Banquet last night. Jason is a junior class sponsor, so his attendance was required. I didn't mind since I love a good excuse to get all dressed up for an evening out with my wonderful husband. This dress hides it well, but I'm starting to show just a little bit. I'll have to post pictures soon of my small, yet growing, belly.

A Moment to Remember

2008-12-01T18:45:00.006-06:00

Even though it doesn't make a difference in what is occurring in college football right now, I just want to take a moment to remember our victory over OU (45-35).
I never get tired of seeing the tower lit up orange for a victory! This is a picture of the tower after UT's victory in the Red River Shootout. Hook'em Horns!

11 weeks, 4 days!

2008-11-25T20:25:00.002-06:00

Peanut was very active today. Its heart beat is strong and it looks like it has both its legs and arms. :-) Early tests indicate the baby is doing well. Our next sonogram will be the beginning of January and we should be able to find out the gender of the baby. We are so excited!

Peanut is Growing!

2008-10-30T12:02:00.004-06:00

7 Weeks 5 Days

Today, I got to see the heart beating and see the little limbs that look like nubs. I also got to see the spine development. It's all very surreal. I can't believe this living being is growing inside of me. We are very excited!

If you haven't heard...

2008-10-17T12:15:00.002-05:00

I'm due in June!

Gone To Texas

2008-10-07T13:01:00.001-05:00

...be back sometime next week with stories and pics!

Pictures of Baxter Swimming!

2008-09-16T17:13:00.005-05:00

Here's Baxter swimming around Jason.
Here's Baxter trying to get back up the ramp to get out of the water.

Labor Day Weekend

2008-09-02T11:53:00.005-05:00

Our Labor Day weekend was full of excitement and adventure.

Friday evening, a whole group from church got together to play ultimate Frisbee. Now, I love to play ultimate Frisbee and other games, but my body doesn't always respond well to the challenge. About 20 minutes into the game, I pivoted to change directions and my knee quickly decided that it didn't want to go that direction. There was no dramatic fall or scream. I just stopped, hobbled over to the side line and took myself out of the game. At 28 years old and 3 knee surgeries, I'm having to realize that my knee is never going to be 100% and that moving in anything other than a straight line is going to be challenging. Here's my dilemma: 1) Do I keep playing games that I love knowing the risk involved, or 2) walk in a straight line for the rest of my life to limit any risk of injuring myself again. My heart wants to keep playing and my mind knows the benefits of the straight line. I have a feeling my heart is going to win this battle - at least for the next few years. In case anyone is wondering, my knee is feeling much better. I was even able to jog to the car yesterday for something without being in pain. I have a feeling I'll be ready for the next ultimate Frisbee game. I'll try and be a bit more cautious next time.

Saturday morning was dedicated to work, but it was only for a few hours. That afternoon, I hung out with my good friend Erin and we went shopping for a lamp at every World Market in town. Unfortunately, no desirable lamps were found. That evening, Jason and his band played at a local coffee shop. They added two new original songs to their set list and the crowd seemed to like them. I always enjoy watching Jason perform. He's a wonderful musician and he loves to play.

Sunday was fairly typical. It started out with Bible class with the 5th/6th graders. It was our last class with them. I'm glad we volunteered to help out teaching this summer, but I'm thinking that next time we will choose a younger group. Jason was a big help, but he's really just in there because I asked him to be. I think once we have kids of our own, he might enjoy it more. After church, I made an angle food cake from scratch for a surprise birthday party. I had some help from my neighbor, Mary Catherine, who also goes to church with us. I had never made a cake with only egg whites, but I survived and it turned out pretty good. (Thanks for your help, MC!) That night, we met with our small group.

Labor Day was where most of the excitement and adventure occurred. That morning, a group of us from our small group met and took a bunch of household goods our small group and church collected over the past week to a pregnant single mother of 3 who is connected to our church through a local ministry our church supports. Basically, this mother had nothing except her three kids and the one on the way. I don't really know her story, but I do know that she is a surviver of circumstances that I will probably never know, or understand. With some help, she was able to secure a small 4-bedroom apartment in the projects for her family to live. We helped move in furniture and arrange things. All of her children now have their own beds to sleep in with bed linens, towels, and storage for their clothes. The mother also has a bed with linens. We also helped provide baby supplies to help out when the new baby arrives. Inside of the walls of her apartment, it seemed like we were able to help provide a safe haven for her and her children, but outside is an entirely different story. Memphis is one of the most crime infested cities in the country and according to a friend of ours, her apartment building is very well known amongst the local law officials. As much as I want to believe we did a good thing that morning, I keep thinking about what lies outside her doors. I hope we can continue to develop a relationship with her and her children so that she knows we are there for her in more ways than just giving her a place to sleep.

That evening, our small group got together to celebrate the labor day holiday. It was a night of fellowship, grilling, dogs, and birthdays (the angle food cake). Most of the people in our small group have a dog, so we always create ways to include them when we gather together. Most of the time, our dogs get along and provide most of the entertainment for the evening. Baxter did his fair share of entertaining that night. For the first time in his short life, Baxter went swimming. He's always a bit hesitant about getting into water (he doesn't distinguish between a bath tub or a lake) and he was no different this time. Basically, I had to help push Baxter down the ramp and Jason got in the water to receive him at the bottom. Jason helped him just float in the water for a little bit, but it didn't take long for Baxter to start swimming around. I was a proud mommy! He swam for a few minutes, but he was done after a few minutes. With some help, we got him out of the water and he avoided the edge of the lake for the remainder of the evening. I'm pretty sure he had no desire to get back in. I didn't have my camera with me, but I think someone got a picture of him. If I can get a copy, I'll share it with you.

Well, that was my Labor Day weekend. I'm trying to be better about blogging, so I thought I would share. Until next time.....

Vanessa's Trip to Memphis

2008-08-11T06:59:00.016-05:00

My brother graciously let Vanessa come visit us at the beginning of July. We were so excited that she came and we had a blast.

We spent some time downtown. We had fun, but it was so hot!
Memphis Sky Line
Mud Island
Jason and Vanessa with I-40 in view
Riding the paddle boats on Mud Island
Playing in the water
Vanessa trying on some Elvis glasses
Who needs Mickey Mouse when you have Vanessa
We saw the ducks at the Peabody

We spent a day at the zoo. I think the zoo is one of my favorite places in Memphis.
Vanessa coming out of an egg in the petting zoo.
The Pandas were active - meal time
The Polar Bears were also active. Of course, I would be to if I got to swim around all day in 100 degree weather.
Vanessa got a snow cone - it had to be blue!

We also spent a lot of time in the pool at my new place.
Of course, Baxter got lots of attention!

We also got to see some fireworks for the 4th of July and we went to the children's museum, but I forgot my camera. :-(

We had a blast and I can't wait for her to come visit again.

Asheville, NC - Mike and Molly's Wedding

2008-08-10T23:09:00.014-05:00

We spent the weekend in Asheville, NC with friends from church to attend Mike and Molly's wedding (also friends from church). We had such a great time.

Here's some pictures from our time in Asheville:

This is our sarcastic enthusiasm over our dinner...edible, but not great.

A group shot: Zach and Alysa, Me and Jason, Justin and Leslie, Colin and Eden, David and Stephanie, Bill and Jessica (Not Shown: Jon and Mary Catherine).

Here we are enjoying the Olympics on TV - Go USA!

Mike and Molly's Wedding!

Mike and Molly's vows!Cutting the cake!

The Girls: Front - Alysa, Stephanie, Rachel, Mary Catherine; Back - Eden, Me, Leslie, Jessica

The Guys: Front - Colin, Jason, Zach, Jon; Back - Dan, Justin, Bill, David

The Departure...

...on a helicopter - WOW!
Have a great honeymoon!

Fast Forward...

2008-08-01T09:49:00.003-05:00

Here's a synopsis of what has happened in our lives since May.

Job:
I'm now working full-time at the University of Tennessee. It's great and I love coming to work every day. We just launched a national military research study to help military personnel quit smoking. It's fun to be apart of something that will hopefully help people across this great country improve their health. I'm also able to do massage in the evenings as an extra side job and it fits in well with everything. Jason starts back at Harding on Monday. He's got a tougher schedule this year and he's also going to be coaching junior high cross country. I'll fill you in on how he got roped into that one later.

Parents:
My parents are doing well. My mom's recovery from back surgery has been remarkable. She's still experiences stiffness and muscle spasms on occasion, but nothing too extreme. Her surgery has really motivated her to be more active. She's walking about 3 miles every day and bicycle riding in the evenings with my dad. I'm so proud of her for overcoming all this and making the changes necessary to improve her health. It's also helped my dad, too.

Life in Memphis:
We moved this summer into a townhouse in Midtown. We love our new location and Baxter seems to be adjusting well. Hopefully, I'll post some pics on the blog soon to let you see what it looks like. Our new location puts us much closer to both our jobs and helps us cut back on gas. It's also much bigger than our last location and we now have room to spread out a bit.

We have been very busy with church this summer. We are teaching the 5th/6th grade bible class. It's been interesting working with this age - they're old enough to want to be treated like adults, yet they're not old enough to actually act like adults. I don't miss being that age. We are also very involved with the praise team. It's a rarity for us to have a Sunday off, but we enjoy it. Jason is apart of the praise band playing guitar and I sing, or run media shout (the overhead projector screen). We also have an amazing small group that has really challenged us lately in our spiritual growth. We couldn't ask for more from our church family. Jason is also on the committee for the social justice ministry. We're looking forward to the Grace Works project coming up in September. We get to go into some really run down neighborhoods in our area and help renovate a house of someone in need. We don't ask anything of the people we help, just enjoy the opportunity to share God's love with them. It's been amazing with the response we've received so far this year.

Jason has been extremely motivated this year with his personal exercise routine. He's lost 20 lbs and has gained a ton of muscle. He's also cut down his 5K time by several minutes. It's been amazing watching his transformation over the past several months. Of course, he's been working out at Harding most of the time and I'm not the only one who has noticed his dedication to his running/weight training. This is how he's been roped into coaching junior high cross country. I'm excited for him and I know he'll enjoy it.

Jason has also gotten back into playing and singing. He's got a band together now and they play at least once a month at a couple local places. I love watching him perform. Jason has also started writing some new songs, so I'm looking forward to watching him introduce some new material into their set lists.

As you can see, God has blessed us in so many ways this year and it's not over yet. I can't wait to see what else he has in store for us.

Graduation...Finally!!!

2008-05-24T14:19:00.002-05:00

I graduated from massage school yesterday. It is such a relief to be done. I still have a few more steps to complete before I'm licensed, but I'm not too worried about that.

Sorry for the short post, but I just wanted to let everyone know!

Live @ High Point!

2008-04-12T23:35:00.014-05:00

Jason played at High Point this evening and his band did an amazing job. Here are a few pics from the evening.

We thank all those who came out to support us tonight!

Update #2: My Jobs/School

2008-04-08T13:10:00.007-05:00

Since I've been back in Memphis, my work situation has changed for the better. Just to catch everyone up on my work situation before I left for Colorado, I was working 3 part-time jobs and trying to finish my labs for massage therapy school. My jobs/school included:

University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Senior Research Assistant (8 hrs/wk - Monday afternoons and Saturday mornings)
Harding Academy - Substitute (4 x/wk = 24 hrs/wk whenever/where ever they needed me)
Outback - Server (4 nights/wk = 30 hrs/wk)
Massage School Labs - (3 nights/wk = 12 hrs/wk)

Doesn't that make you tired just looking at it. I'm still amazed Jason and I survived all that. Subbing at Harding was the best job because I actually got to see Jason every now and then.

Now my job(s) and school are much more manageable. My main job now is at the University of Tennessee as a 60 % employee (24 hrs/wk). I'm still working with the research program 8 hrs/wk and the rest of the time I'm currently training to manage/maintain the database for all the research programs in the preventive medicine department. It's actually a lot of fun learning about the research programs and how we help collect/analyze all the data for them. I have my own desk and I'm required to wear business attire, which is a BIG step-up from my days of teaching PE in gym shorts and t-shirts. I'm also still utilizing the degree I earned from the University of Texas, which is a big plus. Hopefully, I will become a full-time employee within the next month or so and I'll be saying hello to health insurance, a retirement plan, etc.. Keep your fingers crossed!

I'm still subbing at Harding 2x/wk. They're kinda disappointed that I'm not more available, but that's how it is. I've also officially said my goodbyes to Outback. It was a great job while it lasted, but I'm glad to not be serving food any longer. I still walk in at least once a week, say hello to everyone, and get some food to go.

As for massage school, I'm only doing labs 2 nights/wk and I should be done with all that by the end of this month. I've really enjoyed learning massage and can't wait to be licensed. I don't plan on working full-time as a massage therapist, but I do plan on massaging on the side. I have my own table and I'm able to go anywhere I'm needed. I think my friends and other contacts will keep me busy just massaging on the side.

Well, I'm exhausted thinking about all I've been doing over the past 8 months. It's been a wild ride, but I'm glad it's slowing down so I can enjoy my life with Jason and Baxter.

Update #1: My Mother

2008-04-08T09:58:00.004-05:00

Everyone has been asking about my mother, so here is some background and an update on her.

My mother had a ruptured disk in her lumbar region from falling on the stairs at home, which created a severe case of sciatica. She was having a difficult time moving around and couldn't walk without being in excruciating pain. It was really difficult to watch her suffer and feel completely helpless. It finally got bad enough, that she and the doctors scheduled surgery to traction and fuse the vertebra affected by the ruptured disc. Fortunately, my schedule was flexible enough that I was able to fly to Denver and help take care of her after her surgery.

The day of surgery was tough. The surgery took 6 1/2 hours to complete. My dad and I were very grateful to all those who came to the hospital to visit during that time of waiting and for the democratic primaries that we being conducted at the time. It was a good distraction and a source of entertainment. After surgery, mother was pretty delirious from all the drugs, but we were glad surgery went well and she was starting her road to full recovery.

My mother stayed in the hospital for 3 nights, which were some of the toughest 3 nights she had to face. She was in a lot of pain from the surgery, but the pain she had felt from the sciatica was completely gone. (AMEN!!!) She had some wonderful nurses and assistants caring for her and they did a wonderful job accommodating her needs as well has pushing her in the right direction in terms of recovery. Each day had it's battle, but mom came out on top each time. She is so determined to beat this thing.

Once we got her home, she really started to thrive and improve each day. The best part of being with my mother was watching her be able to walk PAIN FREE. The first day we tried to walk down to the mailboxes to retrieve the mail, my mother started crying. I was very worried that she was hurting, but to my relief they were tears of joy. She hadn't been able to walk to the mail box for months without struggling. Of course, I jokingly told my mother she wasn't allowed to cry - it was time to dance a jig! Mom is still recovering and will be for a few months, but she is doing well. We couldn't have asked for a better outcome.

I stayed in Colorado for 3 weeks, which was a long time away from Jason and Baxter. I was nice to come home to my husband and dog, but I'm glad I was there to help out my mother. She's been there for me during 3 knee surgeries and I definitely owed her one big time.

Our prayers were answered and they continue to be answered each and every day.

Massage Therapy School

2008-02-16T08:31:00.007-06:00

Here are a couple of pictures from one of our last days of school. We had a small class, but it worked out to be beneficial for us. We got a lot more one on one time with our instructors. Of course, we are posing with our skeletal friends from Anatomy and Physiology classes.

Pictured clockwise: Janet (Me), Anthony, Madge, and Mandi.

Pictures Left to Right: Mandi, Janet (Me), Anthony, and Madge

Here's a little info on each of my classmates.

Mandi: Mandi is currently finishing the program and wants to primarily work with geriatric clients. She's originally from the Memphis area and has a wonderful heart. Mandi will be joining her mother's salon and working at a retirement home part-time.

Anthony: Anthony is finished with the program. He's working towards his National Certification Exam and his state license. He's already developed a client base and has a hotel position waiting for him. Anthony is an Ex-Marine from Texas/Tennessee and a professional ballroom dancer. His wife is a pharmacist.

Madge: Madge is currently finishing the program and will be incorporating massage into her life-line energy work. She has an amazing soul and is such a blessing to those around her. She will be working out of her home. Madge is from Texas/California.

Finals are over!

2008-02-07T10:27:00.000-06:00

I finished my finals for massage therapy school and passed with flying colors. Such a relief to be done with that portion of school. Now I'm just massaging away and fulfilling my massage hour requirements. I'm have 34 hours completed - 41 to go!

Basset hounds have rhythm!

2008-02-02T11:55:00.000-06:00

Check out this link. This is hilarious!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NBFRNEztSU

An end is in sight

2008-01-31T13:16:00.000-06:00

I took my first of three finals this past Tuesday. I made an A on the first one...I hope it's an indication of how well I will do on the two that remain. I've been studying, so I'm not too worried. After next Tuesday, I will be done with classes for massage and all that remains is to complete my massage hours, take the national massage competency exam, and apply for my TN license. Wish me luck!

My last day at Outback is this Saturday. I still have the option to pick up shifts during the week if I'm needed and I'll probably pick up 1-2 shifts each week. It's nice to be able to work for a few hours and leave with cash in my pocket. I will start substituting at Harding Academy next week during the day so that I'm home more in the evenings to spend with Jason. I don't think he'll complain too much about that. I'm still working for UT-HSC with the grant program, but that's only on Saturday mornings right now.

Another end in sight that my family has been praying for is the daily pain my mother has been experiencing. She has a ruptured disk in her lower back right above her sacrum and it has been causing a severe case of sciatica. My mother has surgery scheduled for March 4th to fix the rupture and fuse the discs. I will be traveling to Colorado to help my mother post-surgery and will be gone for at least 2 weeks, but may stay for up to a month. It will be the first time since Jason and I have been married that I will be away from him for this long, but I'm sure we will survive. I've heard it said, "Distance makes the heart grow fonder." I hope they're right. :)

Fondue is my new best friend...

2007-12-29T20:22:00.000-06:00

I got to celebrate my 28th birthday a day early with my parents since Jason and I are flying out tomorrow. My parents treated me to a night at The Melting Pot. It was my first time to eat there and I highly recommend it to anyone. It's a bit pricey, so save it for a special occasion (like your birthday). The dessert chocolate fondue was my favorite.

Snow Tubing!

2007-12-28T15:35:00.000-06:00

It has finally cleared outside. Beautiful blue skies and low wind levels made it a perfect day for some snow tubing, even if it was 5 degrees outside. It has become a tradition during the Christmas holidays when we are visiting my parents in Colorado. My camera was acting up so all I have pictures of are Jason and I standing with our tubes. The actions shots will have to wait for another time.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

2007-12-27T07:27:00.000-06:00

Jason and I flew into Denver, CO, on Christmas morning. It was snowing like crazy and we had several snow plows that led us to our gate after we landed. I'm glad we made it safely.

After we opened presents, we started to prepare for our traditional Christmas dinner - Fajitas! It beats a turkey/ham any day! Add some avocado slices, red beans, potatoes, and you've got a great meal. Of course, dad had to brave the elements to grill the fajitas, but it was worth it.

Due to the foot of snow we received throughout the day, Dad and I spent some time shoveling snow out of our drive way and helping some of our neighbors with theirs. Dad even shoveled the sidewalk around the neighborhood and then we went for a walk.

We're getting another snow storm today, so I'm sure I'll have some more exciting pictures to show you.

I just got Elfed!!!

2007-12-01T13:28:00.000-06:00

This is hilarious! Enjoy!!!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1130688631

Our first Thanksgiving...Alone!

2007-11-21T15:21:00.000-06:00

This is the first Thanksgiving Jason and I will be spending without family. Even though we would love to be with family right now, we are enjoying this time together. We are getting together with some friends from church on Thanksgiving to celebrate and hang out. We are also going to be decorating our apartment for Christmas and getting it ready to receive my parents for the Christmas holidays.

Being that this is a time of thanksgiving, I thought I would take a few moments to share some of the things I've been thankful for this year.

I'm thankful for my loving husband who has been so supportive of me while I've gone back to school full-time for massage therapy. I couldn't have done it without him. Of course, I don't think he minds too much considering he gets to reap the benefits from my schooling.
I'm thankful for the people we've come to know and love here in Memphis. It's not easy moving to a new place where you don't know very many people. Memphis is really starting to feel like a home.
I'm thankful for our other friends that Jason and I have kept in touch with since we've moved. We really appreciate still being apart of their lives.
I'm thankful to be a part of a loving church who really seeks the will of God in their worship and in their service to the community.
I'm thankful for my health and the health of my family. We've had a few bumps in the road this year, but we've all gotten through it.
I'm thankful my father has a secure job for now.
I'm thankful for my dog and his ability to keep us smiling.
Last but not least, I'm thankful that God has been able to continue to mold my heart and put me in positions where I can share his love with those around me. God is Awesome!

Happy Halloween!

2007-11-01T07:01:00.001-06:00

Baxter got to dress up this year for Halloween. I think he made a great Superman!

Of Course, Jason couldn't let Baxter be the only super hero in the house. Jason was Captain Grammar this year.

I didn't have a costume this year, but I enjoyed the festivities.

New Job Possibility!

2007-10-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

I've been offered a part-time position as a senior research assistant for the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. I'll be part of an intervention project where we take families whose kids have been clinically diagnosed as at risk for cardiovascular disease and put them through a program designed to teach them about health, nutrition, and how to incorporate physical activities at home with the whole family. While the parents are in a classroom learning these important things from dietitians and medical personnel, the children will be in my class learning the same lessons with games and physical activities. I'm really excited about this opportunity and can't wait to start. Plus, it may eventually lead to a FREE master's degree! Can't beat that.

Almost ready!

2007-09-22T10:28:00.000-05:00

I have passed my second massage practical with flying colors. The first one was on the back of the body and the second one was on the front of the body. I have a full body practical next week and then I will be ready to start working on the public. I can't charge anything since I'm not licensed yet, but I need bodies to practice on. If you would be willing to make the sacrifice of letting me give you a free massage, just let me know. I have a busy schedule, but I will work with you if I can. FYI: You must live in the vicinity of Memphis and I must know/trust you. There's only so much I can do. :-)

(For all of you who spend time reading into the lives of people you don't know, this message is NOT for you.)

More Random Facts...

2007-09-09T13:19:00.000-05:00

I couldn't stop at 8. I kept thinking of others and started writing them down. Now it's time to share.

Jason asked for my parents' permission to marry me in his pajamas while sitting on the edge of my parents' bed in a hotel room in Amarillo, Texas, over Thanksgiving (2004). It was the only time he could get them alone.
I use to eat my hamburgers in a circle until a friend of mine made fun of me. I was never conscious of it before, but I try and abstain now when I indulge in a tasty hamburger.
The first library card I ever got was about 2 months ago. Since Jason and I can't afford B&N right now, we are taking advantage of the FREE books offered at the library. What a concept!
Since my freshman year of college, I've moved every year until this year. I guess it took marrying Jason to bring some stability into my life.
The first concert I ever attended was Jars of Clay at the train station in Boston, MA.
The first MLB game I ever attended was the Texas Rangers vs the Boston Red Sox. This was before I even started dating Jason and joined the Red Sox nation through marriage. I was cheering for the Rangers that day (and I believe they won, too).
To conquer my fear of roller coasters, I went on a weekend trip to Cedar Point, the largest roller coaster theme park in the US, in Sandusky, Ohio, with some friends from church. Needless to say, I love roller coasters now.
I had the church reserved for my wedding before Jason and I were officially engaged. Officially means before I had the ring. I booked it right when we got back from Thanksgiving break, but I didn't have the ring until a couple weeks later. Our families already knew, but everyone else didn't. Instead of putting "wedding" on the calender, they put "special event."
I'm afraid of the dark. I still won't walk into a dark room if I can help it. Light is my friend.
I hate putting my face underwater. I can do it, but I don't like to.
When my father and I used to go fishing at South Padre Island growing up, he refused to bait my line with the live shrimp we used to catch the fish. He wanted me to learn how to bait my own hook. I couldn't stand touching those squirmy slippery shrimp, so I would make friends with a nearby elderly man on the pear and he would bait my hook for me. My father thought I was a hopeless case, but I was just being resourceful.
The first car accident I was ever in was the very first time I ever drove a car. My father is a big history buff and wanted to stop and see the San Juacinto battle landmark. Once he was done, he asked me to do a 3-point turn around so we could go back the way we came. In the middle of the turn around, I hit the gas instead of the break and drove up onto the memorial. YIKES! I really didn't hurt the memorial, just my car and my nerves.
When my mother was pregnant with me, she didn't want to know what sex the baby was. Instead, the doctor told her that she was going to have a ball player. All I want to know is how in the world did he know that?
Also while my mother was pregnant with me, she had to take sleeping pills to put me to sleep so she could sleep. That might explain why I use to get in so much trouble at the day care for not sleeping during nap time. It's hard to make a small child sit still for a long time while everyone else is napping.

8 Random Facts

2007-09-06T19:18:00.001-05:00

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought this would be fun. So, here we go...

I grew up living 5 miles from the border of Mexico for 18 years and I never learned Spanish. I didn't think twice about it at the time, but now I regret not learning the language.
I can't remember the names of song titles and bands/musical groups/singers. Don't get me wrong, I love music, but I've never paid attention to the details. My husband is working on me, but I honestly think it's a lost cause.
The first time my parents ever saw me high jump was in Des Moines, Iowa, at the Junior Olympics. It took me qualifying for the Junior Olympics and competing out of the state of Texas to get them to come to a track meet. It was even a challenge convincing them that I could go to the Junior Olympics. They hardly missed a track meet after that.
I was a member of a National Championship Team at the University of Texas. Unfortunately, I had nothing to do with the title. I was what you could call small potatoes.
I am extremely coordinated on the athletic field and extremely uncoordinated in everyday life. I have bumps and bruises to prove it and so does my husband!
I didn't meet my in-laws until I was already engaged to Jason. I wasn't worried about getting their approval as much as I was worried about getting the approval of Jason's best friend.
I was 18 years old the first time I ever saw(remembered) snow (Boston, MA) and I was 25 years old the first time I built a snow man (Denver, CO). Apparently, I saw snow when I was a toddler and told everyone it was "white-ing" outside. I don't remember it.
The first time I ever left the country (I don't count crossing the border into Mexico growing up since I practically lived there) was on my brother's first honeymoon to Jamaica. I won't go into details, but I will say that the bride-to-be did not go with us. I didn't get to go on his second honeymoon. :-( (ha, ha)

At this point, I'm suppose to tag 8 people to come up with their own random facts, but I'm going to leave it up to you if you want to do it or not. It was fun coming up with the list and reminiscing over the past and my crazy quirks. I sure you'll enjoy it if you try.

Slacker!!!

2007-09-05T18:03:00.000-05:00

I've been a big slacker when it comes to my blog. I'm sorry to all those who've been waiting to find out how school/work is going. My sincere apology for not updating sooner. I might have slacked off when it comes to this blog, but I haven't slacked off in everything else. I guess something had to be put on the back burner.

I have now completed a month of my massage therapy school (7 more to go) and it has been amazing. It's the best career decision I've ever made and I'm loving every moment of it. There are only 5 students in my class (we started with 9) and I currently hold the highest GPA. I'm not trying to brag, but I'm proud of myself for doing so well. It's a pretty intense schedule. I'm a much better student now than I was back in college and I've learned to be efficient in my studying and homework. The hands on massage part is coming pretty naturally to me and I'm picking it up quickly. Jason doesn't seem to mind when I come home and need to practice on him.

On top of attending school Monday through Friday from 9am to 3:30pm, I'm still waitressing at Outback 5 nights a week (~30 hrs/week). It keeps me busy, but I don't mind it at all. It's worth the sacrifice to have the opportunity to go back to school. I don't have a lot of time to socialize with friends and hang out with Jason, but everyone has been so supportive of my decision.

I wanted to give everyone an update and let you know how everything is going. I'll try to do a better job of keeping up with my blog, but I'm not making any promises.

One more week until...

2007-07-28T11:24:00.000-05:00

...I start Massage Therapy school. I'm so excited about starting something new and going back to school. This has been something I've been wanting to do for a while now and it is just around the corner. I almost can't believe it. I still have two more things to do to complete the process before I can start classes, but it's nothing big. I have to have a physical, which is scheduled for Monday, and I have to get a piece of paper signed to show proof I've received a massage from a graduate of the school. I already had the massage, but I forgot the paper to be signed. Not a big deal. Starting in February, I'll be needing bodies (preferably live ones) for my internship. Don't worry, I'll remind all of you when the time comes.

My waitress job is going well. July and August are slow months in the restaurant business, which is probably a good thing since I'm still getting use to it all. I'm enjoying the job and most of the people I work with. It will definitely keep me busy while I'm going to school and I'm sure I'll be requesting my two days off a week around my exam schedule for school. I'm afraid most of you won't see much of me once I start school...that includes my husband. I'm so thankful for Jason and his support. I couldn't do this without him.

With all this being said, I just have one request from you. Keep us in your prayers. This will be a time of sacrifice for Jason and me. The time commitment of school and work will keep me away from home most days. I just ask that God will give us the perseverance to endure this time and give me the diligence to keep up with my school work and my job. I also ask that God help Jason and I not lose sight of each other and our faith in God's hand as he constantly molds us and carries us through life.

The Rookie

2007-07-17T09:21:00.000-05:00

This is what some of the people at work have referred to me as. I don't know when I will have worked there long enough to lose the title, but that's okay. I'm really not too worried about it.

Work is going well. It's a fun job, keeps me busy, and I get to take home money every single night. I can't complain too much. Everyday gets easier and I think I'm really going to enjoy working there. I've already been drafted to play softball for the restaurant league, which is something I'm sure to enjoy. I just hope they're not expecting too much out of me.

This is a short post, but I just wanted to check in and let you know I'm doing well.

I'm official!

2007-07-12T08:49:00.000-05:00

I have officially finished my training and I start on the floor on my own Friday night. I'm definitely ready to get started, but I'm a little nervous. I know I can still ask questions and ask for some help here and there, but I won't have someone to lean on if I get in a jam. I still lack some confidence, but I'm doing much better than I was my first day of training.

I found out that it was a miracle that I was hired for this job. Apparently, Outback doesn't hire anyone as a server who doesn't have any previous serving experience (This is coming from other servers who were shocked to find out that I haven't been a waitress before). I don't know why they decided to give me a try, but I'm thankful for the opportunity. I've impressed people so far and I've even earned another piece of flare yesterday. (Yes, I have to wear flare.)

Well, I'm going to enjoy my day off by going to a local park with Baxter, and then Jason and I are going to see Ryan Adams live in concert. Have a great day!

By the way, 8 more days until the Harry Potter book arrives at my doorstep!

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

2007-07-11T16:22:00.000-05:00

I truly believe the 5th movie is the best of them all. They obviously had to make a few changes, but they didn't take away from the story in any big way. They didn't show the struggle/curiosity Harry went through with his dreams/visions of the door at the ministry. That was a big part of the story - distrusting Snape, the struggle of wanting to block Voldemort from his mind and wanting to see what was behind the door, etc. They just showed the visions, not the struggle. I'm glad we get to see why Snape despised Harry's father so much. I would have hated him too if he treated me that way. (Speaking of Snape, I think he's a good guy. He definitely has a past, but who doesn't.)

The flying sequences in the movie was great. The battle at the end between Voldemort and Professor Dumbledore/Harry was pretty cool. It was nice getting to meet new characters like Luna and Tonks and see old ones like Lupin, Sirius, Moody, etc. Bellatrix was definitely the most scary character in this movie.

I don't have too much time to elaborate anymore. For those who have seen it, I can't wait to hear about your impressions. For those who haven't, enjoy!

My first day on the floor...

2007-07-10T07:44:00.000-05:00

...was definitely an experience. I worked in the lounge area (the tables surrounding the bar), which I think might be the hardest section to work. The lounge is a first come first serve smoking area. You can just come in and sit at a table in the lounge without having to go through the hostess. This can be good or bad depending on the type of people that come into the restaurant. It can be dead, or you'll get slammed all at once because there isn't a hostess to control the flow of your tables. Also, the people that do come sit in the lounge are typically those who are going to order their fair share of liquor during their visit. Remember the liquor test I took...that was only about half of what the bar actually serves. Most of the drinks I served last night were NOT on my liquor test. Talk about a shock to the system when they started ordering and I had to write everything down. I have a feeling I'll be using the "I'm new" excuse for a while.

The computer part of the job wasn't too hard. I just need to learn where everything is located on the screen. Starting next month, I won't have to turn in tickets to the kitchen anymore. It will be all computerized, which will be nice since I won't have to time tickets anymore. It's not a hard thing, but I just have to be able to remember to do everything in the right order and turn in the right ticket in the right spot.

I start off by greeting the customer, checking to see if they're new to Outback, or not (so I can explain the menu to them if their new), get their drink orders and check to see if they are interested in an appetizer. When taking the drink order, I have to be able to remember to push happy hour if it's before 7pm and be ready to explain the drink menu if needed. The first thing you do is enter in any drink orders your table might want in the computer so they can be sent to the bar, make the regular drinks (tea, coke, etc.) in the back and deliver them with the Bushman's bread.

Now it's time to take the regular food order. Taking the order isn't hard, but I sometimes forget which sides come with what. Even though I did well on my menu test, it's a different story when you're standing at a table with a customer. The first ticket you time and turn in is the pink ticket for any appetizers the customer might want. After the appetizer has arrived and they have started eating it, you time and turn in the green ticket and post the white ticket (main course meal ticket). If theirs anything fried, you also post the blue ticket behind the white ticket. Once the salads are made and delivered, the white and blue tickets are timed and turned into the cooks. If you have an order that requires something from the cooks and something from the salad maker, you have to do something special (I forgot what that was! :-0) During the course of the meal, I make sure their drinks never go dry and see if they need a refill on the liquor. I also keep the Bushman's bread coming if they want it. Once they are done eating their main courses, I take any dessert/drink orders and clear their table of empty plates. I don't remember what ticket I turn in if they order a dessert (I'll have to figure that one out tonight).

It may not sound too difficult, but having more than one table at a time and remembering all this can be a challenge. The one thing I kept forgetting to do was give the customer(s) a pen to write with if they payed with a credit card. A simple thing really, but I kept forgetting. I know I'll get use to it after a while. I'll have more responsibility tonight while I'm training, but I hope I'm not in the lounge again.

The torture is over...for now

2007-07-09T08:49:00.000-05:00

I have finally finished all the classroom sessions and the memorizing of the menu and drinks at Outback. I had to take two tests - one over the menu and one over the drinks. I passed both test with flying colors, but they were hard to say the least.

For the menu test, they basically gave me a blank menu and I had to fill everything in. When I say everything, I mean everything right down to the fresh parsley flakes on top of the garlic mashed potatoes. It took me about 1 1/2 hours to complete and my hand started cramping right in the middle of it. As much as I didn't enjoy the menu test, I didn't enjoy the drink test even more.

For the drink test, I had to be able to tell you all the ingredients and garnishes for the ALL 22 alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. I also had to be able to tell you ALL 22 wines available in house. Listing the wines would have been easy, but the test gave descriptions of the wine and I had to tell you which wine it was talking about. I've learned more about alcohol in the last couple of days than I've ever known before in my life. I'm just glad this part of the training is over and I can move on to the next phase.

Tonight, I start on-the-floor training. For the next 3 days, I will be shadowing someone around the restaurant learning table side manners, serving techniques for food and drinks, and overall care of the customers. I'll also be learning ticket writing, the computers, and where and when to turn in tickets for an order. From what I've observed so far, it's not too difficult, but I just have to learn the correct way of doing things. Since I've never been a waitress before, I'm sure it will be an interesting experience. I can't wait until I'm making my own tips and earning more than 2:14/hr. (Ahhhhhhh!!!!!)

12 Days!!!

2007-07-08T08:01:00.000-05:00

12 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is released!

16 Days!!!

2007-07-04T09:03:00.001-05:00

16 Days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is released!

20 Days!!!

2007-06-30T08:40:00.001-05:00

20 days until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows comes out!

I have a new Job!

2007-06-29T14:25:00.000-05:00

I'm now an official server at Outback Steakhouse. I start tomorrow! I'm also an official student of the Massage Institute of Memphis as of today. It's been a good day so far.

Great Fruit Salad Recipe!

2007-06-28T15:47:00.000-05:00

Okay...I'm in love with the food network and I'm always looking for fun and easy things to create in the kitchen. I watched an episode of Everyday Italian a while back and Giada DeLaurentiis made this watermelon and Cantaloupe fruit salad for dessert. It is absolutely amazing and pretty easy to put together. I just made it today for a BBQ that Jason and I are going to tonight.

1/2 watermelon (seedless)
1 cantaloupe (cut in half, seeded)
2 tablespoons freshly chopped mint leaves plus whole sprigs, for garnish
2 tablespoons freshly chopped basil leaves plus whole sprigs, for garnish
1 lemon juiced (1/4 cup)
1/4 cup simple syrup (equal amounts sugar and water heated until sugar dissolves, cool)
1/8 teaspoon amaretto

Scoop 2 cups each from the watermelon and the cantaloupe using a melon baller. Carve the remainder of the watermelon out and reserve shell.

Add to a blender the chopped mint, chopped basil, lemon juice, simple syrup and amaretto. Blend until smooth.

Add the water melon and cantaloupe balls to the carved out watermelon half.

Add the vinaigrette mixture to the balls and toss to combine.

Garnish with the mint and basil sprigs and taste.

Enjoy!

Things are back to normal...sort of

2007-06-27T17:19:00.001-05:00

Jason and I have been back in Memphis for about a week now. It was nice to be back home (our apartment), but it was hard leaving what felt like home (Austin, family and friends). Two days after we arrived home, Jason's parents arrived for a visit. It was nice seeing them and spending some quality time with them here in Memphis. We went to the Memphis Zoo and ate some wonderful Memphis BBQ downtown at a place called Blue City Cafe. While Jason and his dad went golfing, Jason's mom and I took a paddle boat ride on the Mississippi. The history part of it was great, but the actually ride it self was a rip off. We didn't actually go very far down the river...just from Mud Island down to the I-55 bridge and back. The rest of the time we just kicked back and relaxed.

Now that Jason's parents have left, I have been doing laundry to clean sheets and towels. I've also been busy trying to find a part-time job. I applied at Outback this afternoon and I have an interview with them on Friday. Wish me luck! I also have an interview/meeting with the admissions office at the massage school on Friday, too. I've already been accepted, but I guess I still have some paperwork to complete now. I also have to schedule a doctor's appointment for a physical and schedule a massage at the school (this is the part of the admissions process I'm really looking forward to). Other than that, Jason and I are back to enjoying the summer break and relaxing.

SURPRISE!

2007-06-16T06:36:00.000-05:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JASON!

About 3 weeks ago, Matt and I started talking about throwing Jason a surprise party for his 29th birthday. It was a perfect situation since we would be in Austin surrounded by all our close friends. My job was to come up with a guest list and Matt's job, since he lives in Austin, was to contact the guest list and find a location for the party. That part was pretty easy - the hard part was keeping it a secret. It wasn't hard while we were in still in Memphis, but it got increasingly difficult once we arrived in Austin. We were able to visit with everyone who could come before the day of Jason's birthday, so we had to make sure we didn't tip Jason off. There were a few times we almost slipped amongst friends, but we recovered quickly. Matt and I had to be careful not to let Jason know what was going on and still discuss our plans. Jason walked in on us twice discussing details, but still he had no idea what was going on. I went to HEB on Wednesday with my niece to order the cake and made sure she understood that she couldn't say a word to Jason about it. She did great until it was time for us to leave their house and she asked if she could come to Jason's birthday party. I almost freaked out, but Jason responded with, "I don't have parties anymore." Man, that was a close one.

The day of his birthday was probably the hardest day of them all. I woke up early and headed out to pick up the cake and other necessities. It's a good thing Jason likes to sleep in during the summer because it allowed me to get the cake inside the house without him knowing about it. I even went to the trouble of making sure Jason didn't open the refrigerator himself in case he might spot the brown paper sack covering his cake and figure it out. Matt and I also tried to make it look like Jason was planning his own day, but we were just trying to come up with ideas to get him out of Jonathan and Amber's house to allow the guests to arrive and surprise him. Matt arrived around 4 pm and we headed out to Chuy's down near Zilker park. It took us a while due to Austin traffic, but the restaurant wasn't crowded yet. We tried to get him to wear the Chuy's birthday sombrero, but apparently that location doesn't do anything special for birthdays. (I knew we should have gone to the N. Lamar location.) After that, Matt directed us to a coffee shop called Dominican Joe's for dessert. Jason and Matt enjoyed a frappuchino-like concoction while we took in the atmosphere and chatted. So far so good! We then headed to Highland Lanes to do a little bowling. This was the hardest part of the whole evening. We were running short on time when we arrived, so we had to watch the clock carefully. We took a lane to bowl for an hour, but we didn't have an hour. We ended up bowling 2 games and then I was pretty adamant that it was time to leave and Matt followed suit. I didn't even try to discuss the matter. I just told him we were done, turned my shoes in, and paid for our time. At this point, Jason wasn't entirely pleased with me, but he complied with a loud sigh and dragged his feet all the way to the car. I just started driving towards the house and Jason was giving me the silent treatment. I brought up the idea of a movie and that we needed to get back to Jonathan's house to check the listings online. Of course, Jason wasn't thrilled that we left the bowling alley early, so he wasn't too excited about the prospect of seeing a movie. Poor thing! We arrived, made our grand entrance, and Jason quickly got over his sour mood once he realized we had gone out of our way to throw him a surprise party. We had cake and just visited amongst friends. Everything went well and Jason was ultimately surprised. Most importantly, I was forgiven for the early bowling alley departure. It turned out to be a great day.

2nd Anniversary!

2007-06-12T15:28:00.000-05:00

Jason and I just celebrated our second anniversary. We stayed at the Pecan Street Inn Bed and Breakfast in Bastrop, TX. It is a very nice and cozy place that we can recommend to anyone who wants to visit the area. The accommodations are quite adequate and the breakfast is delicious. The owner is a very friendly and willing hostess.

After checking in, Jason and I toured the historic downtown in the mid-day heat. We welcomed the air condition of the cute shops in the area as we made our way down Main Street. We shared a chocolate milkshake at a soda shop located in the original Bastrop drug store towards the beginning of our tour. We quickly found out the restaurants that were recommended to us are closed on Mondays, so we ended up eating at some bar downtown. The food wasn't too bad, but the atmosphere of the establishment was lacking. Jason and I are definitely not bar people. So much for a nice romantic dinner. We headed back to our B&B and rested to recover from our tour of downtown. It's not that we walked a great deal, it was just so hot that it zapped all the energy out of us. After we rested a bit, Jason and I decided to go to the local bowling alley/movie theater. We bowled 2 games and then watched Shrek 3. It was a fun evening spent together even if I did wipe out on the bowling lane. Man, those lanes are slick! I won't go into details - it's too embarrassing. Needless to say, Jason and I had a wonderful time. Nothing fancy, but it was just right for us.

We are back in Austin now...I'll keep you posted.

GONE TO TEXAS!

2007-06-08T08:55:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow, Jason and I leave for Texas. I can't wait to return to the land where everything is bigger and the people are friendlier. I can't wait to see my Texas friends again and my beautiful nieces. I can't wait to see the University of Texas Tower and be filled with school pride (Hook'em Horns!). I can't wait to eat at some of my favorite Texas establishments: Chuy's big as your face burritos, Thundercloud Subs' California club, Rudy's BBQ and cream of corn, Rufi's breakfast tacos, Whataburger's hamburgers, Amy's ice cream, Chipotle's burrito bowl and pork tacos (this one's for Jason), etc. It's going to be a great trip and I couldn't think of a better way to spend part of our summer vacation. My husband doesn't seem to have the same appreciation for the state of Texas, but he tends to forget that's where he found me. :-) Of course, I'm a born and raised Texan, so I tend to be a bit biased at times.

A Different Side of Baxter!

2007-06-02T20:13:00.000-05:00

You have seen Baxter's intellectual side - here's his goofy side!

A trip to Oxford, MS

2007-06-02T19:32:00.000-05:00

Jason and I spent the day visiting Oxford, MS. Oxford is the home of Ole Miss (which we really had no interest in visiting), a cute downtown square, and William Faulkner's house. We started our excursion at a nice Italian joint off the square called Old Venice. We dabbed freshly baked Italian bread in olive oil and freshly ground pepper to start. We then followed our appetizer with a pepperoni pizza, which Jason and I shared. It is a great place to eat if you are ever in the area.

Jason and I then proceeded to walk around the square and enjoy the cute shops and book stores. We then headed out to see Faulkner's home. Here are a few pics from our trip.

The courthouse in the middle of the square.

A small peek at a section of the square.

Having fun in a local phone booth.

Jason conversing with Faulkner on the subject of literature.

After conversing with Faulkner, Jason had to investigate some of his works at a bookstore off the square...

...and then head to his home to see where the real magic occurred.

It's been too long...

2007-05-27T17:44:00.000-05:00

...since my last blog. I've been busy closing up the school year. All I have left is to drive to work on Tuesday, pick up my check and I'm done! It's been a rough ride this year, but I survived. In retrospect, I know I wasn't ready for what I was walking into when the school year started, but I made the best of the situation and got through it. I'll be honest and say I didn't think it was going to be possible at times. I shed quite a few tears this past year due to frustration. The only tears I have left are tears of celebration and it's definitely time to celebrate!!!

Jason and I are looking forward to the upcoming summer. June is going to be a busy month. We are traveling to Houston, TX to attend a wedding reception for Jason's college friend, Andy Dunham, and a wedding in Austin, TX for our former student, Elena Worley. In between those two events, Jason and I will be celebrating our 2-year anniversary and Jason's birthday (29 years). Also during the month in June, I will be looking for a part-time job that I will keep while I go back to school to become a massage therapist.

July is going to be pretty laid back. We don't really have any plans other than me working. August is our big month with my school starting Aug. 3 and Jason's school starting shortly after that. It's going to be a busy school year next year, but we are ready to make a few sacrifices so that I can go back to school and start a new career.

I'll keep you posted as the summer progresses. It should be a good one!

Commitment to Health Lifestyles

2007-05-12T10:33:00.000-05:00

Jason and I have finally decided that we are going to hold each other accountable to living healthier lifestyles. That includes exercising and eating healthier foods. We don't smoke, or drink (very often), so that isn't really a problem. The problem tends to be eating more that we should, coming home and lounging on the couch hours on end, and pure laziness. We've gotten into a rut and it's time to do something about it.

Jason has been better about trying to exercise, but I've been a complete bum. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I'm going to since it's a HUGE factor in my motivation to change things. I've gained about 20 pounds since Jason and I got married. I use to be the skinniest girl in the room (some have said I was too skinny - including Jason) and could eat anything I want. Now, I'm not the skinniest girl in the room, I'm wearing sizes that have double digits, and food resembles more of Satan's temptation than pure satisfaction. I'm tired of looking at myself in disgust and I'm ready for action.

Healthier food is on the menu in our kitchen. No more sodas! No more late night grease! Eating out will be limited to a few times a month. Exercise is going to become a part of our daily routine, even if it's just taking Baxter for a walk on our light days. Jason has a running workout he's printed off of RunTex in Austin, TX. He's already started that and is enjoying it. I've starting a weight training/cardio workout every other day. On the other days, I will be on a stationary bike, or precor machine for 30 - 45 minutes. Sundays will be our light days.

I'll keep you posted on our progress.

Together Again!

2007-05-09T22:05:00.000-05:00

Will Goodrich, our former student, volleyball manager, and yearbook editor. Will is probably our favorite student of all time and he came to visit us on his way home from his freshman year of college at the University of South Carolina. It has been a great visit for catching up and hanging out. We ate some good BBQ at Blues City Cafe. We toured downtown Memphis and Mud Island. We introduced him to High Point Coffee, Jason's favorite coffee stop. We took him to see where Jason works and conveniently didn't take him to see where I worked. It was a day well spent, especially since it was my last personal day at work!

Funny Moments with Baxter

2007-05-07T22:24:00.000-05:00

Who knew Baxter was intellectually minded and an avid reader!

A Great Weekend!

2007-05-07T08:24:00.001-05:00

My weekend started Friday night with the musical Into the Woods. One performance was not enough Friday night so we went to go see the late showing of Spiderman III after the musical. It was a good movie, but it was a bit busy with all the different characters. I won't give away any of the details to make sure I don't ruin the movie for anyone. All in all, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the classic superhero storyline.

Saturday was definitely not as entertaining, but a good day nonetheless. Jason and I almost finished a clean sweep of our apartment. I started about a week ago going room by room organizing and getting rid of things we don't need anymore. With the kitchen, dining, and living rooms completed, I focused my attentions to the bedrooms and bathrooms. Jason spent most of his day cleaning the bathrooms and doing laundry while I cleaned out the bedrooms. I started with the guest bedroom/office/library/game room/storage room. Since this room has several functions, it is also the room that tends to collect the most junk. Our bedroom wasn't as daunting a task, but I finally finished organizing and getting rid of the things we no longer need. The only thing I lack to do now is organize the file cabinet, sort through a box of papers that will hopefully find their home in either the file cabinet or the trash can, and sort through the clothes in my closet. The end is in sight!

Sunday, Jason and I headed downtown to the Beale Street Musical Festival. We had received mixed reviews on the whole thing, so we weren't really sure what we were going to find once we got there. Luckily, the bands we wanted to see were back-to-back on the same stage. We got there early enough to find our stage and grad a bite to eat before the first act started. We had to sit through two acts that we weren't too excited about and a few rain showers, but we weren't willing to give up our front row position. Guster was the first band we came to see and they were excellent. I've never seen them in concert before, but their music is great. Barenaked Ladies was next and in fine form as usual. By the end of the BNL concert, the crowd was thick and most were trying to push their way up to the front for Counting Crows, who followed BNL. After Counting Crows played "Mr. Jones", we headed out and ate a late dinner at Chili's.

Even though there wasn't much down time this weekend, I really enjoyed it all. I got to see an awesome musical, a much anticipated movie, Guster for the first time, BNL, and great friends. Plus, I get to reap the benefits of a clean and organized apartment. It doesn't get any better than this! (On the other hand, I could use a massage after standing in the same spot for nine hours yesterday at the concert, but I won't push my luck.)

Update on my mom

2007-05-03T10:44:00.000-05:00

My mother is out of surgery and everything went well. They didn't find any blockage in her heart, which is what we were hoping for. Her heart does, however, have a weak pulse and it should improve with the right medicine and exercise. I'm so relieved!

Thanks for your prayers.

It's been a weird week so far

2007-05-02T16:23:00.000-05:00

This week has been strange to say the least and it's only half way done. The week started with the news that an 8th grade student at my school was killed in a 4-wheeler accident. This is a very tragic event and really hit some students hard at school (I didn't know the student). I really thought something like this would help calm our students and bring them closer together. Boy, have I been wrong about that one. I've seen more mobs and fights this week than I ever have before. It's been crazy. I don't know if it's a direct result of the student's death, or if it's just a coincidence. Teachers have been on edge as well.

This week is also MCT week. The MCT is the Mississippi state exam every student must take to move on and graduate from school. I've been helping proctor the exam and I've been shocked with some of my students answers. It has really become clear to me that the students I teach on a daily basis are behind academically. I've know it, but this is the first time I've had the opportunity to see it for myself. For the students' sakes, I truly hope the students can do well enough to earn a level 3 for next school year.

This week is also the week my mother has her surgery. After reading up more on the surgery, I'm not as worried as I was initially. It's still hard to face the fact that my parents are getting older and their health will gradually decline with age. It's something most of us have to face, but it's not something we want to face. I had to face it a few years ago with my father when he was diagnosed with diabetes.

The rest of the week is filled with more MCT, early dismissal on Friday for the student's funeral, a play at Marshall Academy, spring cleaning of the guest room, Spiderman, and the Beale Street Music Festival in downtown Memphis.

Prayer

2007-04-26T15:49:00.000-05:00

With the National Day of Prayer just around the corner(May 3), I wanted to share some prayer requests that concern my family right now. It's been on my mind a lot and prayers from others would be great.

Jason and I will be adjusting to a new income soon (a smaller one) when I start school this summer. It will be a struggle, but I'm really excited about the opportunity to go back to school and start a new career in massage therapy. Please pray for guidance and wisdom as we embark on this new adventure.
My mother is having outpatient surgery next week to investigate a heart issue she's been having. Pray for the doctors as they perform the surgery and care for her. Also, pray for peace for our family as we deal with this.
My dad is facing some challenges at work and the future isn't certain. Please pray for peace for my parents as they deal with the results as they unfold...whatever they might be.
My brother is having a hard time dealing with the death of a close friend. Please pray for him to find closure as he struggles with his grief and for his family as they comfort him during this time.

I tend to be a worrier about things, but I'm trying to put these things in God's hands and let him care for my family and I. I know God works in mysterious ways and we may not always understand why things happen the way they do, but we have to trust in Him.

A Time of Reflection

2007-04-18T19:39:00.000-05:00

Death is not something I claim to be an expert about. It is not something I like to dwell on, but it always seems to be lurking around the corner. I find myself thinking about it during quiet times - times I'm alone at home or in my car driving. I've been a witness to the aftermath of death and it scares me. I'm not as scared about myself dying as I am about the ones I love dying.

Some of you may be asking what brought on this post. It started with a recorded episode of Extreme Home Makeover, which is always a tear jerker, and a recorded episode of Smallville where Clark loses his earthly father, Jonathan. Plus, I'm at home alone while Jason is at praise team practice and I have nothing to help take my mind off it. So, I decided to blog to allow myself a way to work through my thoughts.

The first personal experience I had with the death of someone was on August 5, 2001. I was dating a guy at the time whose sister was killed in a car accident. I still remember that night very clearly in my mind and the days that followed. I felt so helpless and insignificant. It was a real shock to the system to be so close to a family who lost someone so dear to them. To watch her brother crumble in grief when he recieved the news and hear the cries of her husband when we first saw him as he layed in his hospital bed hours after the accident was heartbreaking. To watch a family so torn with grief struggle to grasp anything that would help keep her memory alive in the months that passed was hard to bear. Time has healed some of their wounds (and mine), but I know a void will always be in their hearts. I've often asked God why he placed me so close to this tragic event and what I was suppose to learn through this experience. I guess time can only tell.

The most recent experience with death was my grandfather's. He passed away about a year and a half ago the week of Thanksgiving. I didn't grow up around my grandparents and I don't have a very close relationship with them, but I still love them very much. I guess I take for granted that they are always there. I got to spend some precious time with my grandfather the week before he died. Jason and I went to see him since we knew he didn't have much longer. Pop lived a long wonderful life and he had a wonderful marriage. He was always so kind hearted and eager to please my grandmother. I know my grandmother really relied on him and I know it's been hard for her to adjust since he's been gone. I'm still dealing with the grief of his death in small ways. Part of me still thinks he will be sitting in his chair the next time I go visit.

I know death is inevitable. I know there's nothing that can prevent it, but it doesn't make it easier to accept when it happens. I think about what will happen when my grandmothers pass away and my parents. My heart aches every time I think about it. I think about my brother and his family. Most of all, I think about Jason and what my life would be like without him there. Jason and I have only been married a little under 2 years, but he's the love of my life. I know life goes on - I've seen it go on for others. I just can't imagine it. I also think about Jason and the tough times he will face as he deals with the death of his family members. I only hope I can be a pillar of strength for him as he struggles to face those times in his life.

I know I'm not alone in my thoughts and fears. It's just not something we tend to talk about. I pray that God gives me the strength and wisdom to help me deal with these moments in life, whether they are mine, or someone else's losses. I also pray that I will continue to lean on his everlasting love during those times when my heart and mind will be overshadowed with grief.

It's that time of year...

2007-04-15T17:07:00.000-05:00

when I can't breath out of my nose - thanks allergies!
when I start counting down the days until school is over - 30-something days!
when I start to think about Jason's birthday and what I'm going to get him - it's a secret
when I use to enjoy doing my taxes - not this year :-(
when I want to go for a walk and enjoy the Spring weather - Baxter enjoys that too
when most athletic seasons are coming to a close and I actually get to work normal hours again - one more week and I'm done forever!
when I start contemplating the idea of spring cleaning - it might be more like summer cleaning this year
when Jason and I start planning any summer trips - I believe Austin is our only destination this summer; maybe Missouri to visit Todd and Jean.
when all I want to do at work is hide in my office and hope they schedule an assembly that will cancel my classes - it usually happens at least once a week
when freakish winter storms really bum me out - go away cold weather
when I really start to miss my family - I haven't seen them since the holidays
when I start thinking about next school year - of course, I'll be a student next school year and not a teacher...I'm looking forward to the change.
when I love to look out the window of my car and see the fields painted with blue bonnets - unfortunately, not in Tennessee...I miss Texas!!!!
when I finally get to start taking my blinding white skin outside to get some color - I'm afraid I might regret my sun worshipping some day
when you can leave the windows open at home and not run the air conditioner - it needs to warm up a bit first
when Jason and I really enjoy a good outdoor concert - go Beale Street Music Festival...Bare Naked Ladies, Guster, etc.
when cookouts are a way of life - thank goodness we have a grill now

Less than 100 days to go...

2007-04-13T15:59:00.000-05:00

Harry Potter fans are ecstatic! The final book is coming and I can't wait.

Someone poured water all over my day off!

2007-04-10T07:43:00.000-05:00

My holidays from school are cherished times. I get to get away from the public school environment. For those of you who have any idea what public education is about, you will understand. I get to sleep in later than usual, which is still not very late for me. I get to hang out in my pajamas and watch TV until I feel like taking a shower and getting dressed. I get to curl up on the couch and read a book until I'm done reading. I'm on no one's clock except my own. Unfortunately, my holiday did not go as planned.

I woke up yesterday to my husband beckoning me out of bed. As much as I tried to resist, he was pretty persistent. I got up and followed him into the kitchen where I saw water dripping down from the overhead light fixture. It's not everyday you get to witness water coming from a light fixture, but this was not an act of God. I immediately got on the Internet to see if I could find an emergency number for my apartment complex - nothing was listed on the apartment website. I could, however, fill out a service request. This incident required more than just a service request, it required immediate action! I then looked through a pile of papers and found our lease agreement for a number. Finally, after sorting through about 10 pages I found a phone number. I called and was put through to an automated system requesting info about the nature of the emergency, my location, and my contact info. At the end of the phone call, the voice on the other end of the phone told me someone would be contacting me soon in regards to my emergency.

I've learned the word soon has several connotations. My definition of the word soon in relation to the situation yesterday meant in a few minutes. I waited...and waited...and waited for an hour and a half before an older gentleman knocked on my door and asked to see the leak. Apparently, their definition of soon was sometime during the morning hours. Excuse me if I'm in the wrong here, but this bothered me since water was starting to collect in my kitchen. Water leaks are never something I've thought of in a relaxed, casual manner. Water leaks cause damage...lots and lots of damage if not corrected as soon as possible. Ahhh...there's that word again!

Apparently, the person on the third floor had an issue with their kitchen faucet. They had done what was necessary to stop the source of the leak, but couldn't stop the leak in my kitchen. They said that the water needed to run it's course until it made it's way down to the ground, or my kitchen. With the understanding of how gravity works, this made perfect sense to me. The part that bothered me was that they made no offer to help me clean up the water. I was stuck at home mopping up water with towels for the next several hours until it finally stopped. They made no offer to help dry out the walls to help prevent the inevitable mold problems I will face in the near future. We already have mold in the ventilation system in our apartment. Now it's going to be in the walls too. The next chance I get, I'll be making a trip to the apartment office to see what their plan of action is going to be. If nothing is done, Jason and I might need to find a new place to live when our lease is up. Until then, we might need to invest in buying surgical masks to help us breath.

With another holiday down the drain (adding to my New Years excitement and President's day imprisonment), I can't wait for school to be out. Over the course of the summer, I'm sure to have a few days that I can make up what I've missed. I've only got 36 school days to go.

Baxter's Birthday!

2007-04-04T06:49:00.000-05:00

Today is Baxter's 2nd birthday. As I look back on the past year and a half that we've had him, I realize what a blessing he's been to us. Don't get me wrong, he has his moments when we don't feel like he's a blessing, but those are few and far between. Baxter's our baby since we don't actually have any kids of our own (and won't for a couple years...Lord willing!) He's also spoiled rotten and the only one to blame for that is Jason and I. What's the point in having a pet if you can't spoil them. Anyway, here is a glimps of our wonderful dog.

Baxter is still a young playful dog - as playful as a basset hound can get. His playtime is usually at 6 am, which doesn't always agree with our desire to sleep. His playtime usually consists of playing with his toys by himself, or with us. He also likes to wrestle, which can be a lot of fun. Mostly, Baxter just loves to take naps - it's what he does best.

Baxter is a very loving dog. His #1 priority is to be as close to us as he can possibly be. Most of the time, Jason and I don't mind. Of course, he's so low to the ground and can become a hazard to your health if he gets in your way and you don't see him. He's a kisser, so you have to be careful, or he'll plant one right on the mouth. Also, he seems to think he's a lap dog - a 60 lb lap dog! As I type this, Baxter has assumed the responsibility of keeping my feet warm.

Baxter is great with other people and children. He loves attention from perfect strangers, especially kids. This doesn't serve us well if we ever need him to protect us, but Baxter was never intended to be a guard dog. Of course, you wouldn't know that from some of the reactions of some Indian families that live in our apartment complex. They tend to run and scream whenever they see him. It's actually pretty entertaining to watch.

Baxter is a smart dog...for a basset hound. He's been through obedience training at Petsmart and he did pretty well. We love to show off his tricks to other people. They might not get a kick out of it, but we like to show what he can do. His jump is pretty funny since the only part of him that actually leaves the ground is his front legs. When he bows, you have to look carefully to see it since he's so low to the ground. He's also pretty dramatic when we ask him to play dead. It's like someone shot him and he's struggling to stay alive.

Baxter loves to travel and he's been to many places in his short life. Let me see if I can list them all: Texas (of course, we lived there), New Mexico (White Sands, Albuquerque), Arizona(Grand Canyon, Flagstaff, Sedona), Utah(Four Corners, Monument Valley, Arches National Park), Colorado(Rocky Mountains, Denver), Arkansas(Carson Sloan's back yard), Tennessee (We currently live here), Mississippi (Chris's house - he seems to think the neighboring cows are large dogs), Kentucky (he took a restroom break somewhere on our way to Maryland for Christmas), West Virginia (same as Kentucky), Virginia (David and Michelle's home), Maryland(Jason's family), Pennsylvania (Jason's old stomping grounds), and North Carolina (Puke University). I think the place he loved the most was White Sands, New Mexico. The picture I posted is of him on the sand. He's never flown before, but Jason and I prefer a good road trip over any air travel. As soon as the car is rolling, Baxter assumes the position (sleeping position) until the car comes to a stop and the engine is turned off.

Baxter loves food - his food, other dog's food, and people food. Baxter has been known for eating other dog's food right from under their noses. He always attacks the other dog's bowl first before he goes to his. He will also snatch food right off our plates if we're not careful. Anything from meat to dinner rolls satisfies his taste buds. We've thought about trying a little experiment to see how much food Baxter could actually eat in one sitting, but decided against it. We knew we would probably suffer the consequences at some point and we don't want to have to clean up any messes, or put Baxter's health in jeopardy.

Well, that's our dog and we love him to death.

Philippians 2: 1-11

2007-04-01T13:40:00.000-05:00

This scripture really hit home today and I want to share it with you.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one is spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death -
even death on a cross.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

2007-04-01T06:41:00.000-05:00

Last night, Jason and I finished our taxes and went to bed. I woke up this morning hoping it had all been a bad dream. Unfortunately, it hasn't and Jason and I are going to have to take out a loan from the bank and finance it for 30 years to pay off our taxes this year. Okay, maybe it's not that bad, but it will deplete our savings account to less than $100. I don't know where we went wrong this year. Last year, we received a return from the government for $600. This year, we have to pay them over $1,000. I'm still in shock over the whole thing. I've never had to pay the government anything. I've always received money back and used that money to splurge on something nice. Jason and I had already planned on what we were going to do with that money. I know most of you wouldn't find this exciting, but we were going to pay off another one of our debts. To us, this is exciting. Okay, I'll admit that maybe it's exciting to me and Jason is just along for the ride. :-) I am the one responsible for our finances.

Alas, the only debt we will be paying off is to the government. I only wish I could somehow have the person who is dropping off the check salute them with an obscene hand gesture. (Do I sound bitter?) Why is it when I want to be bitter and angry about this, the words of Matthew 22:21 keep ringing in my ear? "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-03-30T13:40:00.000-06:00

Here is the cover of the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series. I actually stole this idea for a post from a friend, but I'm too excited not to try and spread the word!

Spring has arrived and so has my blogging debut...

2007-03-29T16:51:00.000-06:00

I've decided to start a blog. I don't really know why other than wanting to be able to express myself in a way that friends and family will be able to know the things that are going on in my life.

Spring has finally arrived in Memphis and I have been spending more time outside at work. The unfortunate side of that is the tan lines and the exhaustion that comes from being out in the sun all day. I'm just thankful I'm not teaching outside in the dead heat of summer.

I have about 7 weeks of work left and I'm really excited about finishing this school year. It's been a rough ride this year that has caused me to evaluate my career choice and think of other options. I have decided to attend Massage Therapy school starting in August. I'm looking forward to going back to school and preparing myself for the new opportunities that lie ahead. It will be a challenge for Jason and I when I go back to school full time, but it should only take me about 8 months to complete the program. I plan on being a waitress on the side to help out financially.

Other than that, I've been busy working, coaching softball, and coaching volleyball. Jason doesn't get to see me as often, but we manage. I'm looking forward to the end of softball and volleyball so I can spend more time with my husband and actually get things done around the apartment. Speaking of that, I've got to get going. I've got lots to do!