I have been going through a really difficult time In my life lately. My Dad had been doing poorly, had fallen twice in a time span of one week, and had spent 4 days in the hospital. He is back to doing great...in fact better than before due to 3 blood transfusions and having been assigned a specialty nurse. But my emotions from all this upheaval have not done so well. I have cried a lot. A lot. My Mom's absence and seeing my Dad's decline just brought this tremendous depression. My poor husband just has been so perplexed. He has really tried to do so much to "be there" for me. It has really touched my heart. I am so thankful I have him here for me. I am so humbled that he is a rock for me at this vulnerable time in my life.
"The best is yet to be, the last of life for which the first was made. Our times are in His hands.". - Robert Browning
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
One month/One year
It's been 1 month since I last blogged. Busy month to say the least! Spent 10 days in Barcelona/Madrid/Paris which was quite a trip of a lifetime! The week prior was full of planning and preparing. I can't believe that the trip actually happened though! Kind of boggles my mind. Another thing that boggles my mind is the year that just passed!
Last year at this time I was so stressed about the upcoming academic year since I knew that my life would be so hectic with the events coming up...my marriage, Anna's marriage, Ben's graduation, Ben's moving away, and then the Spain/France trip. I thought, worried, and stressed how I would get through it all. God, as my continual rock, proved faithful and strengthening!! All of these were FIRSTS for me and things that were outside my comfort range. God grew me and showed me that I really could do it. Getting married in the middle of the school year and then moving from a house that I have lived in for 13 years and doing all of the moving by myself really gave me new confidence in my abilities!! Planning a low budget wedding for Anna and then getting her actually married (with my sisters' and good friends help) was another event that made me think, "I can't believe we did it?". Ben and John's college graduation was another event that occurred with an incredulous mind (thanks to my dear husband, Bobby Forrest!) because we had to move furniture (Anna & John Mark's)to a 4th floor apartment as well as getting *ALL* of Ben's furniture and stuff moved out and ready to depart for Portland, Oregon. All of this moving occurred in the time frame of 2 days!! The Spain trip was another HUGE weight on my mind mostly because I was taking such a large group (29 folks) and it was something I had never done before...another FIRST! Overseeing behavior (of high school students), striving to make it a fun trip, as well as coordinating the daily agenda was quite a challenge. But I did it (thanks to my sponsors and the adult men in the group who were INVALUABLE! Thanks Tye Geppi and Bobby Anderson)! Not a perfect trip but then nothing is especially when 29 different and various personalities are involved (LOL!) I still loved the trip and would not change anything because the group bonded and had so much fun together!!
So the year has been "fast & furious" but it's been good. Once again, I wouldn't change anything. God used every event of this past year to grow me, mature me, and give me confidence as his child. This is truly the mantra of my life.
Last year at this time I was so stressed about the upcoming academic year since I knew that my life would be so hectic with the events coming up...my marriage, Anna's marriage, Ben's graduation, Ben's moving away, and then the Spain/France trip. I thought, worried, and stressed how I would get through it all. God, as my continual rock, proved faithful and strengthening!! All of these were FIRSTS for me and things that were outside my comfort range. God grew me and showed me that I really could do it. Getting married in the middle of the school year and then moving from a house that I have lived in for 13 years and doing all of the moving by myself really gave me new confidence in my abilities!! Planning a low budget wedding for Anna and then getting her actually married (with my sisters' and good friends help) was another event that made me think, "I can't believe we did it?". Ben and John's college graduation was another event that occurred with an incredulous mind (thanks to my dear husband, Bobby Forrest!) because we had to move furniture (Anna & John Mark's)to a 4th floor apartment as well as getting *ALL* of Ben's furniture and stuff moved out and ready to depart for Portland, Oregon. All of this moving occurred in the time frame of 2 days!! The Spain trip was another HUGE weight on my mind mostly because I was taking such a large group (29 folks) and it was something I had never done before...another FIRST! Overseeing behavior (of high school students), striving to make it a fun trip, as well as coordinating the daily agenda was quite a challenge. But I did it (thanks to my sponsors and the adult men in the group who were INVALUABLE! Thanks Tye Geppi and Bobby Anderson)! Not a perfect trip but then nothing is especially when 29 different and various personalities are involved (LOL!) I still loved the trip and would not change anything because the group bonded and had so much fun together!!
So the year has been "fast & furious" but it's been good. Once again, I wouldn't change anything. God used every event of this past year to grow me, mature me, and give me confidence as his child. This is truly the mantra of my life.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Apricots
I have been going crazy with apricots! The good kind of crazy though. Our apricot tree is producing buckets of apricots EVERY day! I have learned how to jar them! Kudos to me ( sorry for the self praise but I really do feel proud of myself!). I also noticed that when Anna and John Mark went to Portland that they had what looked liked a yummy apricot almond Danish so I googled and found this yummy recipe. It might have to be my project for tomorrow....
www.jeenaskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/05/apricot-and-almond-danish-pastry-recipe.html
Can't wait!!!
www.jeenaskitchen.blogspot.com/2008/05/apricot-and-almond-danish-pastry-recipe.html
Can't wait!!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Praises
Yesterday was one that I was able to get a lot of things accomplished and probably explains why I had to DRAG myself out of bed this morning and why I so desperately want to do NOTHING today! Lol!
I went running, watered Sommer's plants as well as feed her dogs. I then went to the Cooley house and worked 1 1/2 hours in Ben's room (boxing up things, throwing out things, cleaning up). I came home and worked on EF Tours paperwork as well as Attorney General stuff and then spent a couple of hours writing recipes in Anna's cookbook. I also called Dana Newton to find out if Anna's wedding pictures were up which they were. So just a day full of a lot of "little" stuff which ends up draining you.
I had the blessing of not having to worry about dinner because Jerad, Morgon's boyfriend, was smoking trout at Janet's house and we had that as well as yummy corn on the cob along with baked potatoes. So delicious!!
I keep wanting to pinch myself because of not having to work any outside jobs. I always tear up and cry when I think about it. It's such a HUGE blessing to me. Thank you Lord that you brought Bobby to me and that he allows me to be home during the summer. I just can't thank you enough heavenly Father for bestowing such grace and mercy to me. It's so nice not having the burden of work and to concentrate on home and marriage.
Also, thank you Lord because the Spain trip with EF Tours is coming together. It's been a lot of work but it is all worth it. Praise the Lord! I pray that the trip itself will go smoothly. I pray that you, God, will watch over us in every aspect of the trip. The flight and layovers, the keeping the group together at all times, the temperaments & personalities of all the enrollees, the behavior of the students and their abiding by the rules, and above all that we will ENJOY ourselves! This is my prayer Lord. It's such a blessing to go and I want You to be glorified in all of it.
I went running, watered Sommer's plants as well as feed her dogs. I then went to the Cooley house and worked 1 1/2 hours in Ben's room (boxing up things, throwing out things, cleaning up). I came home and worked on EF Tours paperwork as well as Attorney General stuff and then spent a couple of hours writing recipes in Anna's cookbook. I also called Dana Newton to find out if Anna's wedding pictures were up which they were. So just a day full of a lot of "little" stuff which ends up draining you.
I had the blessing of not having to worry about dinner because Jerad, Morgon's boyfriend, was smoking trout at Janet's house and we had that as well as yummy corn on the cob along with baked potatoes. So delicious!!
I keep wanting to pinch myself because of not having to work any outside jobs. I always tear up and cry when I think about it. It's such a HUGE blessing to me. Thank you Lord that you brought Bobby to me and that he allows me to be home during the summer. I just can't thank you enough heavenly Father for bestowing such grace and mercy to me. It's so nice not having the burden of work and to concentrate on home and marriage.
Also, thank you Lord because the Spain trip with EF Tours is coming together. It's been a lot of work but it is all worth it. Praise the Lord! I pray that the trip itself will go smoothly. I pray that you, God, will watch over us in every aspect of the trip. The flight and layovers, the keeping the group together at all times, the temperaments & personalities of all the enrollees, the behavior of the students and their abiding by the rules, and above all that we will ENJOY ourselves! This is my prayer Lord. It's such a blessing to go and I want You to be glorified in all of it.
Friday, June 17, 2011
My Dad & Erma Bombeck
I was out running and praying and I began to think of my Dad and his influence on me. My sisters and I dwell a lot on my Mom and her influence but my Dad was as equally an influence on us. He was usually out working during the day and/or out working on the yard, out working on vehicles, out working in his garage BUT his influence was there just the same. It reminds me of the story that journalist, Erma Bombeck, tells and if you have never heard/read it, then google it:http://tassiedevil.tripod.com/papa.htm
My Dad's Influence on me:
1. My ability to be social and being attracted to FUNNY people...my Dad was ULtRA social and ultra funny! The epitome of a people person. My love of social settings and loving people who make me laugh comes from my father.
2. My ability to be a "trouble shooter/problem solver"....can you say 'duct tape'? Lol but very, very true. I grew up seeing my Dad solve any problem that came our way and using whatever was available. I find myself doing the same thing now.
3. My being "bold" when it comes to defending my children...I am RARELY bold but when it comes to my children then I see my Dad rise up in me. He was very protective of his 5 girls. Attack my children and you will see that I will become a 'lion' and this is because of my father.
4. My respect and love of the church....once my dad got saved, he deeply respected all things about church/clergy/God's Word and I love him deeply for it. I thank him for instilling that in me.
5. My love of adventure...my dad THRIVED on adventure (we traveled to practically every state in the United States!) and I am so glad he gave that to his daughters as well.
6. My pride in self.....he always praised us (whereas my mom "kept our feet planted on the ground") and instilled confidence and pride in us. He did NOT hold to the "machismo stereotype" in regards to women. His motto has always been "shoot for the moon". Thank you Dad.
7. My love of romance and being affectionate....my dad was the ultra romantic/affectionate one (my mom was the opposite) and I love, love, love that I grew up with a father who was always showing love to my mom in this way. I am also thankful that I have some of this in me as well. Thanks Dad.
8 My love of the outdoors/gardening....my dad always had a garden and was outdoors all the time. I am glad that I married a man who is the same way as my dad in this aspect. The outdoors is something that I thrive on which is due to my father.
9. My love of culture and ethnicity (both Mexican and American)....my dad taught us to love both our Mexican and American heritage. He knew that both were valuable and were things to be honored.
10. My love of travel.....i love traveling (especially by car!) and it's because my father took us EVERYWHERE (all over the country) with him and my mom. I love that we traveled in a truck with a camper (my dad, mom, and 5 girls!)and thus learned to love to embrace the "open road"!
I LOVE MY DAD!
My Dad's Influence on me:
1. My ability to be social and being attracted to FUNNY people...my Dad was ULtRA social and ultra funny! The epitome of a people person. My love of social settings and loving people who make me laugh comes from my father.
2. My ability to be a "trouble shooter/problem solver"....can you say 'duct tape'? Lol but very, very true. I grew up seeing my Dad solve any problem that came our way and using whatever was available. I find myself doing the same thing now.
3. My being "bold" when it comes to defending my children...I am RARELY bold but when it comes to my children then I see my Dad rise up in me. He was very protective of his 5 girls. Attack my children and you will see that I will become a 'lion' and this is because of my father.
4. My respect and love of the church....once my dad got saved, he deeply respected all things about church/clergy/God's Word and I love him deeply for it. I thank him for instilling that in me.
5. My love of adventure...my dad THRIVED on adventure (we traveled to practically every state in the United States!) and I am so glad he gave that to his daughters as well.
6. My pride in self.....he always praised us (whereas my mom "kept our feet planted on the ground") and instilled confidence and pride in us. He did NOT hold to the "machismo stereotype" in regards to women. His motto has always been "shoot for the moon". Thank you Dad.
7. My love of romance and being affectionate....my dad was the ultra romantic/affectionate one (my mom was the opposite) and I love, love, love that I grew up with a father who was always showing love to my mom in this way. I am also thankful that I have some of this in me as well. Thanks Dad.
8 My love of the outdoors/gardening....my dad always had a garden and was outdoors all the time. I am glad that I married a man who is the same way as my dad in this aspect. The outdoors is something that I thrive on which is due to my father.
9. My love of culture and ethnicity (both Mexican and American)....my dad taught us to love both our Mexican and American heritage. He knew that both were valuable and were things to be honored.
10. My love of travel.....i love traveling (especially by car!) and it's because my father took us EVERYWHERE (all over the country) with him and my mom. I love that we traveled in a truck with a camper (my dad, mom, and 5 girls!)and thus learned to love to embrace the "open road"!
I LOVE MY DAD!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Summer 2010
Today, I continued working at the Cooley house. Anna's room was tackled today. It was bittersweet going through all her "tween", high school, and early college stuff. Brought back wonderful memories. Next week, I will begin Ben's room but it will take a full week due to it being bigger and because we have used it as a "catch all" for all our miscellaneous items as well as wedding stuff. I then had lunch with Sylvia which as fun. She looks so good with her new haircut and the weight she has lost. I am so proud of her!
I also received my IPhone today. Woo hoo! I was eligible for an upgrade so I got a 3G one.Goodbye old Nokia phone. It will be nice to have an iphone but I will always ADORE my iPad! I just can do so much on my iPad and the enlarged screen is super duper for these old eyes of mine. Ha ha.
Tomorrow, I am attempting to can apricots! Can you believe it? Our apricot tree is going overboard in apricot production right now so I gotta do something. I might also try making some jam. Then Saturday, it will be cooking for Bobby's Father's Day meal. Yum! Beef Short Ribs Lasagna Rolls, Mandarin Almond Salad, Rolls, and Strawberry Parfaits!!! I need to get it all done Saturday because Sunday morning, I will go see my dad. Then Sunday evening, Bobby's girls will come over to eat dinner. I think it will be a fun day!
I also received my IPhone today. Woo hoo! I was eligible for an upgrade so I got a 3G one.Goodbye old Nokia phone. It will be nice to have an iphone but I will always ADORE my iPad! I just can do so much on my iPad and the enlarged screen is super duper for these old eyes of mine. Ha ha.
Tomorrow, I am attempting to can apricots! Can you believe it? Our apricot tree is going overboard in apricot production right now so I gotta do something. I might also try making some jam. Then Saturday, it will be cooking for Bobby's Father's Day meal. Yum! Beef Short Ribs Lasagna Rolls, Mandarin Almond Salad, Rolls, and Strawberry Parfaits!!! I need to get it all done Saturday because Sunday morning, I will go see my dad. Then Sunday evening, Bobby's girls will come over to eat dinner. I think it will be a fun day!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Interrupted Dreams
This past Sunday, Pastor Steve preached from the book of Genesis and how Joseph's dreams were "interrupted".
"You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good..." - Genesis 50:20
Our homework was to go home and write down all our own interrupted dreams, disappointments, and heartaches and then beside each one write how it was used for "good". Here are mine...
1. Moving to Borger from south Texas - Raymondville, Tx (beloved hometown) - the summer between freshman and sophomore year....brought salvation to all of my family and college opportunities
2. Moving away from ALL family and friends and living in the Philippines for 3 years.....maturity, independence, growth in my faith
3. Divorce....brought me super close to Christ, made me focus 100% on Ben and Anna, made me realize the importance of my family as well my church family.
4. My mom and dad's illness....growth in humility, mercy, self sacrifice, and servanthood.
5. Ben and Anna's Dad's non-involvement.....sheltered them from being around self destructive actions.
6. My Dad's drinking when I was young....made me tender, cautious, and steered me away from doing anything close to that.
7. My financial struggles....made me non-materialistic , made me want to live simply without heavy debt and steered me away from extravagant/irresponsible spending.
8. My working 2-3 jobs all the time...helped Ben and Anna to "step up" and made them realize that I was working for them. Also taught them financial stewardship and not to take "splurges" for granted.
9. Long dating period with Bobby....made me see what a godly man he is as well as seeing how wonderfully he loved me. We also gave our children time to "blend" and get used to the idea of a blended family.
10. Getting married in the middle of a school year...made Bobby and I know we could tackle love & hecticness (Anna's wedding, Ben's graduation, etc) and still love life and each other!
"You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good..." - Genesis 50:20
Our homework was to go home and write down all our own interrupted dreams, disappointments, and heartaches and then beside each one write how it was used for "good". Here are mine...
1. Moving to Borger from south Texas - Raymondville, Tx (beloved hometown) - the summer between freshman and sophomore year....brought salvation to all of my family and college opportunities
2. Moving away from ALL family and friends and living in the Philippines for 3 years.....maturity, independence, growth in my faith
3. Divorce....brought me super close to Christ, made me focus 100% on Ben and Anna, made me realize the importance of my family as well my church family.
4. My mom and dad's illness....growth in humility, mercy, self sacrifice, and servanthood.
5. Ben and Anna's Dad's non-involvement.....sheltered them from being around self destructive actions.
6. My Dad's drinking when I was young....made me tender, cautious, and steered me away from doing anything close to that.
7. My financial struggles....made me non-materialistic , made me want to live simply without heavy debt and steered me away from extravagant/irresponsible spending.
8. My working 2-3 jobs all the time...helped Ben and Anna to "step up" and made them realize that I was working for them. Also taught them financial stewardship and not to take "splurges" for granted.
9. Long dating period with Bobby....made me see what a godly man he is as well as seeing how wonderfully he loved me. We also gave our children time to "blend" and get used to the idea of a blended family.
10. Getting married in the middle of a school year...made Bobby and I know we could tackle love & hecticness (Anna's wedding, Ben's graduation, etc) and still love life and each other!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Headaches
Day is ending so much better than it started. Thank you Lord. Thank you for hearing my prayers. My headache finally stopped at about noon. Prior to that, I was able to go on a run, shower and then watch back-to-back episodes of Law & Order which I love. Maybe that is what made me feel better? Lol! If Bobby read this, he would mimic the song/music of Law & Order as he always does.
The afternoon was such a blessing. I watched Food Network and then Bobby came home for a late lunch (he is working turn-around) and we got to take a nap together. It was such a refreshing nap. I am not a nap taker so doing this proved that I really was tired. I then got ready for Kristen Blakely's wedding. The part that was especially touching (and made me cry) was the part where the groom washed the bride's feet and then they prayed together. Such a beautiful picture of humility and intimacy. I had never seen this done before in a wedding and I loved it!
Bobby is still working and I have time to get things ready for tomorrow's breakfast item for the Bean (youth dept breakfast hang-out). I am making pigs in a blanket. I chose this because they are one of Bobby's favorite things and since he is working turn-around, I know that this would brighten his day considering that he won't get a day off until 4th of July.
Thank you Lord again for this day and for clearing up my headache and for also giving me the right words to encourage a dear friend who lost her mother-in-law whom she had been caring for for the past 4 years+. My heart and sympathies go out to her. Those of us who have walked down that road know her heartache and sadness.
The afternoon was such a blessing. I watched Food Network and then Bobby came home for a late lunch (he is working turn-around) and we got to take a nap together. It was such a refreshing nap. I am not a nap taker so doing this proved that I really was tired. I then got ready for Kristen Blakely's wedding. The part that was especially touching (and made me cry) was the part where the groom washed the bride's feet and then they prayed together. Such a beautiful picture of humility and intimacy. I had never seen this done before in a wedding and I loved it!
Bobby is still working and I have time to get things ready for tomorrow's breakfast item for the Bean (youth dept breakfast hang-out). I am making pigs in a blanket. I chose this because they are one of Bobby's favorite things and since he is working turn-around, I know that this would brighten his day considering that he won't get a day off until 4th of July.
Thank you Lord again for this day and for clearing up my headache and for also giving me the right words to encourage a dear friend who lost her mother-in-law whom she had been caring for for the past 4 years+. My heart and sympathies go out to her. Those of us who have walked down that road know her heartache and sadness.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Ecclesiastes
My devotions lately have been in the book of Ecclesiastes and this part of chapter 12 is very relevant to my life. It's probably because I am beginning to feel different parts of my body age and that I am focusing more on nutrients/vitamins as well as not working this summer. Just a different phase of my life and Ecclesiastes really speaks to me.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-4
Don't let the extent of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before you grow old and say "Life is not pleasant anymore". Remember Him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim in your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember Him before your legs - the guards of your house - start to tremble; and before your shoulders - the strong men- stoop. Remember Him before your teeth - your few remaining servants - stop grinding; and before your eyes - the women looking through the windows - see dimly.
Remember Him before the door to life's opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds but then all their sounds will grow faint.
Ecclesiastes 12:1-4
Don't let the extent of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor Him in your youth before you grow old and say "Life is not pleasant anymore". Remember Him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim in your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. Remember Him before your legs - the guards of your house - start to tremble; and before your shoulders - the strong men- stoop. Remember Him before your teeth - your few remaining servants - stop grinding; and before your eyes - the women looking through the windows - see dimly.
Remember Him before the door to life's opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds but then all their sounds will grow faint.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Strong men
Bobby got me an iPad with his yearly bonus this year and then he downloaded a book titled, American Poetry. I really enjoy reading various ones from time to time. He showed me this one the other day and I really loved it.
UPSTREAM by Carl Sandburg
The strong men keep coming on
They go down shot, hanged, sick, broken.
They live on, fighting, singing, lucky as plungers.
The strong men....they keep coming on.
The strong mothers pulling them from a dark sea, a great prairie, a lone mountain.
Call hallelujah, call amen, call deep thanks.
The strong men keel coming on.
UPSTREAM by Carl Sandburg
The strong men keep coming on
They go down shot, hanged, sick, broken.
They live on, fighting, singing, lucky as plungers.
The strong men....they keep coming on.
The strong mothers pulling them from a dark sea, a great prairie, a lone mountain.
Call hallelujah, call amen, call deep thanks.
The strong men keel coming on.
Monday, June 6, 2011
"Sobremesa"
There is a term you study when you are a Spanish major in college and taking upper level Spanish culture classes. It is termed, "sobremesa". It is what happens at the majority of Spanish households when they sit down to eat a meal. A Spanish family spends not the usual 20-30 minutes at the table eating a meal but 1-2 hours! They visit, talk, have coffee, and never leave the table for the whole 1-2 hours! "Sobre & Mesa" = "at/over + the table". I love this term because I love that it conveys the unity, fellowship, and bond that occurs at the dinner table. I love it because I love cooking a meal and then seeing a family join hearts and spirits over that meal. The meal is only a small factor but what it does is MAJOR! I truly love this result of cooking! You can eat at a restaurant but a "HOME COOKED" meal brings so much more to a family than a restaurant can ever bring.
Bobby has told me many times that he loves that I cook for his family. After a divorce, a family is terribly fractured and his was as well. His relationship with his daughters was very broken (and it still needs a long way to heal completely) but I love that every time we get together for a home cooked meal, that there is a beautiful small step toward healing that occurs.
Last night was Jordon's birthday (Bobby's 2nd eldest daughter). I cooked cumin grilled chicken, herb butter corn on the cob, potato salad, and key lime cheesecake. We had 17 folks over to eat and the fellowship was *WONDERFUL*! We laughed, joked, played games out on the lawn, lounged on lawn chairs, watched basketball on TV, etc. Such a beautiful sight. I think the theory of "sobremesa" proved itself once again.
Bobby has told me many times that he loves that I cook for his family. After a divorce, a family is terribly fractured and his was as well. His relationship with his daughters was very broken (and it still needs a long way to heal completely) but I love that every time we get together for a home cooked meal, that there is a beautiful small step toward healing that occurs.
Last night was Jordon's birthday (Bobby's 2nd eldest daughter). I cooked cumin grilled chicken, herb butter corn on the cob, potato salad, and key lime cheesecake. We had 17 folks over to eat and the fellowship was *WONDERFUL*! We laughed, joked, played games out on the lawn, lounged on lawn chairs, watched basketball on TV, etc. Such a beautiful sight. I think the theory of "sobremesa" proved itself once again.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
God is good
Well,I can truthfully say that today was the first day that I felt truly at ease and pressure free. All of the "returning of wedding linens, tables, chairs,plates, cups, glasses, votives, etc..." is OVER! Hallelujah! I am so happy that Anna is having a wonderful time on her honeymoon in Portland, Oregon and I am kicking up my feet to now tackle some fun projects and hobbies (reading, sewing, cooking). I recommend to all folks a year long engagement if possible especially if you are on a TIGHT budget which we were. The year helped us buy things little at a time at garage sales, consignment stores, and borrowing items from friends. We did it! And on a low, low budget too! God is good!
I also have to give praise to my wonderful husband, Bobby. My eyes well up as I type this because as my son said to me during Mother's Day, "I am so glad that God brought Bobby to you so that you never have to be alone any more." Truer words were never spoken. I had many, many years of being alone and I can tell you, "having a companion and husband by my side is much better1" He was my ROCK and my STRENGTH during this whole past year. He has listened to my wedding ideas & frustrations, has taken me on "get-a-ways" to de-stress, has been patient with my crankiness.... The list could go on & on! God is good!
My sisters and some good friends were also my RESCUE! My sister, Sylvia, hosted not just the ceremony but the bridesmaid's luncheon as well. She also made many of the cakes when the prior person couldn't do it! She is the greatest! Dahlia, my other sister, made over 100 home-made delicious cupcakes (dulce de leche,strawberry cheesecake, pina colada, hazelnut) and also bought my dad a brand new suit so that I wouldn't have to worry about that aspect. My other sister, Marissa, went and got my dad at the nursing home in Amarillo and took him back after the reception. Again, another aspect that lightened my load and one less thing to worry about. Debbie Ray, a dear friend of Sylvia, also came to our rescue and decorated the cakes that Sylvia baked. What a lifesaver! Margaret Vance is my good friend and she proved her merit when she baked the other half of the cakes even though her own son was graduating that same weekend! I sure love her! Ember Sherman did so, so much for us as well! She coordinated Anna's bridal shower and then baked some wickedly good tarts that everyone loved! Most importantly, she was a sounding board and listening ear to my daughter, Anna. Always encouraging her and loving on her when she would get stressed or when she would feel things were chaotic. Ember was the BEST! Final kuddos to my nephew, Joseph Garcia who helped us *all* day the day after the wedding to clean, box up, and transport ALL of the wedding stuff (tables, chairs, decor, dishes, linens). I love him! God is good!
So now a month of relaxation. A month to enjoy my summer. A month to enjoy my new home and my new husband because since I got married in the middle of the school year (October) I wasn't able to give either 100% attention and devotion. God is good.
I also have to give praise to my wonderful husband, Bobby. My eyes well up as I type this because as my son said to me during Mother's Day, "I am so glad that God brought Bobby to you so that you never have to be alone any more." Truer words were never spoken. I had many, many years of being alone and I can tell you, "having a companion and husband by my side is much better1" He was my ROCK and my STRENGTH during this whole past year. He has listened to my wedding ideas & frustrations, has taken me on "get-a-ways" to de-stress, has been patient with my crankiness.... The list could go on & on! God is good!
My sisters and some good friends were also my RESCUE! My sister, Sylvia, hosted not just the ceremony but the bridesmaid's luncheon as well. She also made many of the cakes when the prior person couldn't do it! She is the greatest! Dahlia, my other sister, made over 100 home-made delicious cupcakes (dulce de leche,strawberry cheesecake, pina colada, hazelnut) and also bought my dad a brand new suit so that I wouldn't have to worry about that aspect. My other sister, Marissa, went and got my dad at the nursing home in Amarillo and took him back after the reception. Again, another aspect that lightened my load and one less thing to worry about. Debbie Ray, a dear friend of Sylvia, also came to our rescue and decorated the cakes that Sylvia baked. What a lifesaver! Margaret Vance is my good friend and she proved her merit when she baked the other half of the cakes even though her own son was graduating that same weekend! I sure love her! Ember Sherman did so, so much for us as well! She coordinated Anna's bridal shower and then baked some wickedly good tarts that everyone loved! Most importantly, she was a sounding board and listening ear to my daughter, Anna. Always encouraging her and loving on her when she would get stressed or when she would feel things were chaotic. Ember was the BEST! Final kuddos to my nephew, Joseph Garcia who helped us *all* day the day after the wedding to clean, box up, and transport ALL of the wedding stuff (tables, chairs, decor, dishes, linens). I love him! God is good!
So now a month of relaxation. A month to enjoy my summer. A month to enjoy my new home and my new husband because since I got married in the middle of the school year (October) I wasn't able to give either 100% attention and devotion. God is good.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Life in the Blender
Ben’s departure to Portland, Oregon is 2 days away. Anna’s wedding is 1 day away. End of school year is today. My life for the past 8 months has been so, so, so busy and crazy that I won’t know what miraculous transformation will occur on Monday, May 30th. I feel like my life in the blender will possibly stop. The house will be quiet (and clean!), I won’t have a “to-do” list a mile long. I won’t be using my lunch hours for errands and running around. I won’t have 10-20 emails and text messages a day regarding either graduation/wedding. I won’t have this foreboding voice always saying, “You forgot something. You forgot something.” It will be the first summer in 10 years that I WON”T teach summer school nor work 2 other jobs. I have this fear. And it truly is a real fear of mine. This fear of having “down time”. Of not being productive. Of not “earning my keep”. Of not having a regular workday.
Bobby says he will leave me a “to do” list every day if that would help me. My response: “Let me TRY this so called downtime first.” Lol.
Bobby says he will leave me a “to do” list every day if that would help me. My response: “Let me TRY this so called downtime first.” Lol.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Crazy Days
I just ate too too many potato chips! Stress eating - hate it! I know it's because of the following...
Today’s list to do at school:
Type up 55 food orders and take them to Jesses’s Burritos afterschool (for Cinco de Mayo field trip)
Work on 3 student piñatas to “fix them” (these students are not “art inclined” and needed lots of help!)
Make sure the other piñatas (30+ piñatas!) are ready to be taken to elementary schools by 4:00 pm today!
Type up list of students names going to field trip tomorrow and give them to office (so they won’t be counted absent)
Take pictures of all of the pinatas so students can have mementos
Send announcement to office regarding Spain meeting
Email Spain enrollees to give them the flight information
Send work for 3 students who are in ISS (in school suspension) for the week
Send work for 1 student who is in AEP (disciplinary alternative educational placement) for the month
Copy papers for tomorrow (I will be gone on field trip and have to leave work for the students)
Make sub plans for substitute teacher
Grade papers and enter grades into gradebook
Enter grades into computer
Teach!! (what my actual job is!!)
AAAAAGH!!!!!!
Today’s list to do at school:
Type up 55 food orders and take them to Jesses’s Burritos afterschool (for Cinco de Mayo field trip)
Work on 3 student piñatas to “fix them” (these students are not “art inclined” and needed lots of help!)
Make sure the other piñatas (30+ piñatas!) are ready to be taken to elementary schools by 4:00 pm today!
Type up list of students names going to field trip tomorrow and give them to office (so they won’t be counted absent)
Take pictures of all of the pinatas so students can have mementos
Send announcement to office regarding Spain meeting
Email Spain enrollees to give them the flight information
Send work for 3 students who are in ISS (in school suspension) for the week
Send work for 1 student who is in AEP (disciplinary alternative educational placement) for the month
Copy papers for tomorrow (I will be gone on field trip and have to leave work for the students)
Make sub plans for substitute teacher
Grade papers and enter grades into gradebook
Enter grades into computer
Teach!! (what my actual job is!!)
AAAAAGH!!!!!!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Quiet Evenings
Just here sitting with Bobby as he downloads music onto his IPod and I switch between Words with Friends (my newest addiction) and reading a really GREAT book on iBooks (The Fountainhead). As you can tell, I am loving my iPad! Lol. It's Cinco de Mayo week and my week is totally absorbed with 30+ pinatas and getting them ready to take to the Crockett\Gateway elementary students! I also have 6 classroom fiestas to get taken care of this week! Fun but sometimes exhausting.
I am about to do my weights especially since I just had this amazing Snickers ice cream bar! It was pure heaven! I will also be doing running in the morning. I just love running and the therapy that it gives me. Spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Bobby says I keep too many things in and I think he is correct. Running coupled with my quiet time gives me the outlet for these bottled up emotions. He says I don't like confrontation so I usually just keep quiet. Once again, he is correct. I can usually go 2-3 days without running and/or quiet time before I go crazy. Ha ha. Funny but very true. Anna and I had a heated argument last night and I know it was because I was tired, stressed, and hadn't exercised nor had my quiet time. I thank God we were able to forgive eachother but I am also pained that it caused hurt between us. God is merciful and is growing me and showing me how to control all of these haywire emotions. During last nights Crosspoint "Engage" concert, God showed me that the human heart truly is a deceitful thing and one that easily lends itself to sin and darkness - just
like Conrad's literary book, "Heart of Darkness". Only through my ever closeness to my Saviour do I have hope in conquering my sinful nature.
I am about to do my weights especially since I just had this amazing Snickers ice cream bar! It was pure heaven! I will also be doing running in the morning. I just love running and the therapy that it gives me. Spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Bobby says I keep too many things in and I think he is correct. Running coupled with my quiet time gives me the outlet for these bottled up emotions. He says I don't like confrontation so I usually just keep quiet. Once again, he is correct. I can usually go 2-3 days without running and/or quiet time before I go crazy. Ha ha. Funny but very true. Anna and I had a heated argument last night and I know it was because I was tired, stressed, and hadn't exercised nor had my quiet time. I thank God we were able to forgive eachother but I am also pained that it caused hurt between us. God is merciful and is growing me and showing me how to control all of these haywire emotions. During last nights Crosspoint "Engage" concert, God showed me that the human heart truly is a deceitful thing and one that easily lends itself to sin and darkness - just
like Conrad's literary book, "Heart of Darkness". Only through my ever closeness to my Saviour do I have hope in conquering my sinful nature.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Major & Drastic Changes In My Life
I’ve lately made a drastic change in my life that has almost been as significant as my new marriage. It’s been the slow extinction of morning coffee. Anyone that knows me, knows that I love my morning coffee. Close friends know this, family members know this, my high school students know this. I am a TRUE addict. For the last few years, it’s been one particular type of coffee….McDonald’s. I love the rich, robust flavor. Well, for the last month, I’ve slowly given it up and not intentionally. In the past, I’ve thought about alternatives but nothing would sound appealing. Cold cereal….no. Cold yogurt…no. Cold orange/apple juice….no. I love WARMTH in the mornings! Oatmeal sounded good but so boring. A month ago, McDonald’s attached coupons for free oatmeal on their coffee cups. I decided to try it. I fell in love! Warmth plus raisins, apples, and cranberries. PERFECT! It’s a bit high in calories so I only eat half the portion. What’s better is that I usually am thirsty for water shortly after having it so my water intake has also increased. A good benefit!! I then googled oatmeal’s benefits (I am a Livestrong/My Plate website addict) and the benefits are exceedingly numerous! So after close to 40 years of “coffee closeness”, I am now learning to live without it. It’s still there and I usually treat myself to it on Saturday/Sunday mornings but as with my new husband, my new life, my new house…I have a new favorite morning beverage/food! Who would’ve thought?
Monday, April 25, 2011
End of 2010/2011
4 more weeks, after this week, and another school year will come to a close. Wow! It's been an eventful year for me and my family. I have changed my ENTIRE life - it's so drastically different than this time last year. It baffles my mind when I sit down and think about it!
I will soon see Ben graduate(so excited & proud) and then see Anna marry (so thrilled and happy) and then travel to Spain and France. All the hard work from the past 8-10 months will come to a culmination. Thank you Lord for getting me through it. As with everything in my life, my God is my strength and foundation.
It's TAKS week which is good and bad. Good because it's a break from our regular rigor & stress but bad because it brings a different type of stress. A stress that involves following MANY rules & regulations and following them to the "T". It also means reading lots of manuals and making sure we know everything about TAKS (and know it WELL!). P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E!!!
I am thankful to be a teacher though. It's my heart and even with the pressures and stresses, I would trade it for the world! The students and their varied & different personalities make my job worth it EVERY DAY! I am blessed!
I will soon see Ben graduate(so excited & proud) and then see Anna marry (so thrilled and happy) and then travel to Spain and France. All the hard work from the past 8-10 months will come to a culmination. Thank you Lord for getting me through it. As with everything in my life, my God is my strength and foundation.
It's TAKS week which is good and bad. Good because it's a break from our regular rigor & stress but bad because it brings a different type of stress. A stress that involves following MANY rules & regulations and following them to the "T". It also means reading lots of manuals and making sure we know everything about TAKS (and know it WELL!). P-R-E-S-S-U-R-E!!!
I am thankful to be a teacher though. It's my heart and even with the pressures and stresses, I would trade it for the world! The students and their varied & different personalities make my job worth it EVERY DAY! I am blessed!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sugar Daddy
Got my new iPad today! It's beyond thrilling. It is a HUGE blessing to me. Bobby, if you recall, surprised me with ordering me one last month. He had wanted to get me one at Christmas but I said no due to us going on an Vegas trip the week after Christmas. He said he knew that I really wanted one and said that he could now be referred to as my "Sugar Daddy". Lol! He got a bonus at work so this afforded this wonderful splurge. With all the craziness lately of Anna's wedding, Ben's graduation, end of school stresses, and preparing to teach summer school the gift of an iPad comes at a perfect time.
Anna came in today from OBU and I can't emphasize enough how I love having her around!! We went and got haircuts which was super fun! We then went to Walmart to shop for Easter (Easter baskets!!). From there, we went to visit my sister Sylvia to go over wedding "logistics". We had such fun excitedly talking about the wedding! Finally, we went to the Cooley house, where all the wedding decor is being stored at, to tally and count everything. Again, "fun-ness", as we looked over all of the wedding plates, glasses, serving items, etc! My dear husband very obligingly went golfing today in order to give us this day to ourselves! He is the most awesome husband ever! You might have thought you had the most husband ever but I am sorry to break it to you that..... Ha. Ha.
Tomorrow, Bobby and I will go visit my dad in Amarillo. Then we will come back to take our grandsons, Breckyn and Kingston, to our church egg drop at Huber Park! Yippee!! That evening, we will celebrate Sommer's birthday with all the family. Sunday will be wonderfully spent in God's house. Then low key lunch just chilling. That evening we will host Bobby's daughters over at our house with a yummy dinner and doing a family Easter egg hunt. It looks like it will be wonderful weekend!
Anna came in today from OBU and I can't emphasize enough how I love having her around!! We went and got haircuts which was super fun! We then went to Walmart to shop for Easter (Easter baskets!!). From there, we went to visit my sister Sylvia to go over wedding "logistics". We had such fun excitedly talking about the wedding! Finally, we went to the Cooley house, where all the wedding decor is being stored at, to tally and count everything. Again, "fun-ness", as we looked over all of the wedding plates, glasses, serving items, etc! My dear husband very obligingly went golfing today in order to give us this day to ourselves! He is the most awesome husband ever! You might have thought you had the most husband ever but I am sorry to break it to you that..... Ha. Ha.
Tomorrow, Bobby and I will go visit my dad in Amarillo. Then we will come back to take our grandsons, Breckyn and Kingston, to our church egg drop at Huber Park! Yippee!! That evening, we will celebrate Sommer's birthday with all the family. Sunday will be wonderfully spent in God's house. Then low key lunch just chilling. That evening we will host Bobby's daughters over at our house with a yummy dinner and doing a family Easter egg hunt. It looks like it will be wonderful weekend!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Palm Sunday
Luke 19:28 - 38
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord needs it.'"
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
34 They replied, "The Lord needs it."
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
How wonderful that God is using Lent to tenderize my heart to Jesus' sacrifice for my sins. To be tender in thought and spirit to the all that Jesus did for me. That is what I am so thankful for today.
In the first part of this scripture, I kept focusing on the phrases, "The Lord needs it." (verse 31b and verse 34). I thought to myself, "What does the Lord need from me?" This was at 7:oo am this morning (as I was reading this on my school computer). Two hours later, I was in the middle of a tense parent/teacher conference and I realized the the Lord needed me to be humble, to listen, to empathize, and to even apologize. Tough stuff but it proved so wonderful. The parents and I were able to resolve all the issues and we were even able to laugh and be on friendly terms by the end of the conference. God is truly good. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
God is also good because Bobby took me golfing after work. At 4 pm, we took off for the golf course and we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together out just goofing off and golfing. Such a beautiful way to end the day. I am blessed by this wonderful man who knows what I need after a stressful day.
28 After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, 30 "Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord needs it.'"
32 Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. 33 As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
34 They replied, "The Lord needs it."
35 They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. 36 As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:
38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
How wonderful that God is using Lent to tenderize my heart to Jesus' sacrifice for my sins. To be tender in thought and spirit to the all that Jesus did for me. That is what I am so thankful for today.
In the first part of this scripture, I kept focusing on the phrases, "The Lord needs it." (verse 31b and verse 34). I thought to myself, "What does the Lord need from me?" This was at 7:oo am this morning (as I was reading this on my school computer). Two hours later, I was in the middle of a tense parent/teacher conference and I realized the the Lord needed me to be humble, to listen, to empathize, and to even apologize. Tough stuff but it proved so wonderful. The parents and I were able to resolve all the issues and we were even able to laugh and be on friendly terms by the end of the conference. God is truly good. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
God is also good because Bobby took me golfing after work. At 4 pm, we took off for the golf course and we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon together out just goofing off and golfing. Such a beautiful way to end the day. I am blessed by this wonderful man who knows what I need after a stressful day.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Warren, Weddings, and Willingness
We went to Love Worth Fighting For marriage event this afternoon. So awesome! So awesome! So awesome! Having had failed marriages in both of our pasts, Bobby and I know that we want this new marriage to not fall victim to any past mistakes or oversights. We treasure our relationship very very much but we don't want to be naive or arrogant to think that we won't need help or need to work at it. We were both abandoned by other spouses but we know that that doesn't necessarily mean that we weren't culpable. Therefore, throughout the event, we both had open ears and open hearts to what God was speaking to us. Kirk Cameron, the main speaker, was good but even better was the combination of him with Warren Barfield, Christian singer. It was a great teaming of two terrific speakers and communicators. I highly recommend this event to EVERYONE! Married and unmarried.
http://www.warrenbarfield.com
Check it out!
Prior to going to the marriage event, we went to church which was such a blessing. Preaching was great as well as the worship! Sommer, Jeremy, & Breckyn came which just added to the specialness of it. We ate lunch and then went to help Morgon and the college students set up for their ministry project which was a block party for a lower income neighborhood. Morgon has done such a wonderful job in her willingness to follow her Savior and her willingness to put her faith in action!
I am super psyched to have Anna come home in 4 days! More wedding planning but nothing major. Anna is such a low key daughter that this whole wedding has not been anything like I had heard from other mothers! No meltdowns, no bridezilla, no craziness. I truly love my daughter and how NON-high maintenance that she is. My good friend, Amy Mesneak, told me last week, "Elizabeth, you raised your kids to be hippies but hippies with a level head." Ha ha. I think this is an accurate observation!
http://www.warrenbarfield.com
Check it out!
Prior to going to the marriage event, we went to church which was such a blessing. Preaching was great as well as the worship! Sommer, Jeremy, & Breckyn came which just added to the specialness of it. We ate lunch and then went to help Morgon and the college students set up for their ministry project which was a block party for a lower income neighborhood. Morgon has done such a wonderful job in her willingness to follow her Savior and her willingness to put her faith in action!
I am super psyched to have Anna come home in 4 days! More wedding planning but nothing major. Anna is such a low key daughter that this whole wedding has not been anything like I had heard from other mothers! No meltdowns, no bridezilla, no craziness. I truly love my daughter and how NON-high maintenance that she is. My good friend, Amy Mesneak, told me last week, "Elizabeth, you raised your kids to be hippies but hippies with a level head." Ha ha. I think this is an accurate observation!
Saturday, April 16, 2011
This is the Stuff
A Day in the Life of Me.....#1 - I have gone not ONCE, not TWICE, not THRICE, but 4 times to try to get Ben’s envelopes for his graduation invites. The sizes keep being all wrong! The first 2 times, I tried to do it over the phone (with Gerald’s Office Supplies) and then the third time I thought I had it right but NO IT WAS WRONG!! This in between getting my daughter's wedding rehearsal invitations done as well. Ugh!
A Day in the Life of Me.....#2 - I paid all of our medical bills ($500 worth) today at lunch. Poor Bobby! With coming down with the flu, then an abcess, and most recently his hernia, we have paid tons to doctors. I told him thank God for medical insurance! It would be 3 - 4x more otherwise!!
A Day in the Life of Me....#3 - Yesterday at lunch I got in the car to run errands only to find an ENTIRELY flat tire!! I used my lunch getting it fixed. This is on top of trying to buy food and decorations for Jerad’s surprise birthday party. Morgon asked me to cook for it and it is going to be at our house! YikeS!!!
A Day in the Life of Me.....#4 - my Spanish III preAP classes are making pinatas and I am using my conference periods rushing to WalMart to buy supplies almost daily as we run out. Oh my...Why do I do this to myself? I ask myself this EVERY YEAR!! ha ha!
A Day in the Life of Me.....#5 - got up early today to thoroughly clean my house, do laundry, and begin cooking for Jerad's birthday party. Got done at 11 am and went to Breckyn's last soccer game. Ate lunch and then rushed home to translate a church flyer into Spanish for a church event for tomorrow. Now, Bobby and I are going to go clean the backyard and get it ready for the party (it's a cookout). Before the party, we have Breckyn' first baseball game to attend!!
My dear friend, Ember Sherman, says the song below reminds her of me. I think she is 100% correct!!
This Is The Stuff" - Francesca Battistelli
I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please
Cause I can't find my phone
(CHORUS)
This is the stuff
That drives me crazy
This is the stuff
That's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff
That gets under my skin
But I've gotta trust
You know exactly what Your doing
Might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
45 in a 35
Sirens and fines
While I'm running behind
(CHORUS)
To break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world...
This is the stuff
That drives me crazy
This is the stuff
Someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff
That gets under my skin
But I've gotta trust
You know exactly what Your doing
Might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
This is the song that my friend, Ember Sherman, says reminds her of me. She is correct as this is the perfect picture of my life!!
A Day in the Life of Me.....#2 - I paid all of our medical bills ($500 worth) today at lunch. Poor Bobby! With coming down with the flu, then an abcess, and most recently his hernia, we have paid tons to doctors. I told him thank God for medical insurance! It would be 3 - 4x more otherwise!!
A Day in the Life of Me....#3 - Yesterday at lunch I got in the car to run errands only to find an ENTIRELY flat tire!! I used my lunch getting it fixed. This is on top of trying to buy food and decorations for Jerad’s surprise birthday party. Morgon asked me to cook for it and it is going to be at our house! YikeS!!!
A Day in the Life of Me.....#4 - my Spanish III preAP classes are making pinatas and I am using my conference periods rushing to WalMart to buy supplies almost daily as we run out. Oh my...Why do I do this to myself? I ask myself this EVERY YEAR!! ha ha!
A Day in the Life of Me.....#5 - got up early today to thoroughly clean my house, do laundry, and begin cooking for Jerad's birthday party. Got done at 11 am and went to Breckyn's last soccer game. Ate lunch and then rushed home to translate a church flyer into Spanish for a church event for tomorrow. Now, Bobby and I are going to go clean the backyard and get it ready for the party (it's a cookout). Before the party, we have Breckyn' first baseball game to attend!!
My dear friend, Ember Sherman, says the song below reminds her of me. I think she is 100% correct!!
This Is The Stuff" - Francesca Battistelli
I lost my keys in the great unknown
And call me please
Cause I can't find my phone
(CHORUS)
This is the stuff
That drives me crazy
This is the stuff
That's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff
That gets under my skin
But I've gotta trust
You know exactly what Your doing
Might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
45 in a 35
Sirens and fines
While I'm running behind
(CHORUS)
To break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world...
This is the stuff
That drives me crazy
This is the stuff
Someone save me
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff
That gets under my skin
But I've gotta trust
You know exactly what Your doing
Might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use
This is the song that my friend, Ember Sherman, says reminds her of me. She is correct as this is the perfect picture of my life!!
Thursday, April 14, 2011
My deeds slew Christ
"I slew him--this right hand struck the dagger to his heart. My deeds slew Christ. Alas! I slew my best beloved; I killed him who loved me with an everlasting love. Oh eyes, why do you refuse to weep when you see Jesus' body mangled and torn? Give vent to your sorrow, Christians, for you have good reason to do so." - adapted from "The Tomb of Jesus" by Charles Spurgeon
O Almighty God, who alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: help us to love what you command, and desire what you promise. Among the world's many distractions, may our hearts be surely fixed where true joy is found, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. - adapted from the Book of Common Prayer
I am really being blessed by my Lent Devotions via Bible Gateway. The quotes above were from today' devotional. They speak so powerfully to my heart and really convict me. I am challenged to continue to be moved by Jesus' sacrifice long after Easter.
So, it's approaching the middle of April and my busy time is almost here. Ben's graduation (May 13), Ben's reception (May 15), Anna's wedding (May 28), summer school (June 1 - 30), Spain trip (July 12 - 22), and Forrest Summer Vacation (Aug 1 -8). Wow! Busy, busy, busy!! But I won't lie and say that I am not looking forward to any of it. It's all gonna be GREAT!!!
O Almighty God, who alone can order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men: help us to love what you command, and desire what you promise. Among the world's many distractions, may our hearts be surely fixed where true joy is found, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. - adapted from the Book of Common Prayer
I am really being blessed by my Lent Devotions via Bible Gateway. The quotes above were from today' devotional. They speak so powerfully to my heart and really convict me. I am challenged to continue to be moved by Jesus' sacrifice long after Easter.
So, it's approaching the middle of April and my busy time is almost here. Ben's graduation (May 13), Ben's reception (May 15), Anna's wedding (May 28), summer school (June 1 - 30), Spain trip (July 12 - 22), and Forrest Summer Vacation (Aug 1 -8). Wow! Busy, busy, busy!! But I won't lie and say that I am not looking forward to any of it. It's all gonna be GREAT!!!
Monday, April 11, 2011
six months
http://www.lhj.com/recipes/easy/comfort-food/good-eggs-6-new-brunch-recipes/?page=1
This is what's for dinner. It is coming out so delicious so far (yes, I have sneaked a couple of nibbles as I have been cooking!). I can't wait for Bobby to come home to see this entrée! We have a Spain meeting at 6pm so I rushed home to make a quickie meal for supper. Back 2 weeks ago when Bobby had his procedure done at the hospital, one of the things I did to occupy my worried mind was look through magazines for new & yummy recipes. This was one of my favorite finds!
This past weekend was a great weekend. Breckyn had 2 soccer games in which he played magnificently. He has improved so much! I really think he has found his sport of choice. We then golfed with Bobby's brother Jeff and wife Carol. What fun! Despite the wind, we enjoyed ourselves. Bobby then decided we needed go catch our 2nd game of Indoor Arena Football in Amarillo. Sommer, Jeremy, Jordon, and Lane (Bobby's 2 daughters and spouses)joined us which proved so fun. We spent the night in Amarillo and went to visit my dad the next day. It was "Family Potluck Day" at my dad's nursing home so it was wonderful to spend the time with my sisters and their families. My dad was so tickled to see all of his family there. Sylvia even brought her 4 grandchildren which added such a special note to the day!
So, all in all, our 6 month anniversary of marriage was truly Super Stupendous!!!
This is what's for dinner. It is coming out so delicious so far (yes, I have sneaked a couple of nibbles as I have been cooking!). I can't wait for Bobby to come home to see this entrée! We have a Spain meeting at 6pm so I rushed home to make a quickie meal for supper. Back 2 weeks ago when Bobby had his procedure done at the hospital, one of the things I did to occupy my worried mind was look through magazines for new & yummy recipes. This was one of my favorite finds!
This past weekend was a great weekend. Breckyn had 2 soccer games in which he played magnificently. He has improved so much! I really think he has found his sport of choice. We then golfed with Bobby's brother Jeff and wife Carol. What fun! Despite the wind, we enjoyed ourselves. Bobby then decided we needed go catch our 2nd game of Indoor Arena Football in Amarillo. Sommer, Jeremy, Jordon, and Lane (Bobby's 2 daughters and spouses)joined us which proved so fun. We spent the night in Amarillo and went to visit my dad the next day. It was "Family Potluck Day" at my dad's nursing home so it was wonderful to spend the time with my sisters and their families. My dad was so tickled to see all of his family there. Sylvia even brought her 4 grandchildren which added such a special note to the day!
So, all in all, our 6 month anniversary of marriage was truly Super Stupendous!!!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Gushy
"So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun." Ecclesiastes 8:15
I am so thankful for my husband. He is my perfect counterpart. He lightens my load especially in regards to the emotional and psychological aspects of my personality. I, naturally, lean towards being a workaholic and serious in nature so when he sent me the scripture above today it so blessed me. This last weekend, like every weekend, he challenged me to *have fun* and enjoy life. He took me golfing with him, to the Frank Phillips College baseball field to eat a hotdog and enjoy the game, and then to watch a great movie, Lincoln Lawyer. He is such a great husband whom I dearly love.
Gushy newlywed, I know but oh well…..life is too short not to gush! Lol!
I am so thankful for my husband. He is my perfect counterpart. He lightens my load especially in regards to the emotional and psychological aspects of my personality. I, naturally, lean towards being a workaholic and serious in nature so when he sent me the scripture above today it so blessed me. This last weekend, like every weekend, he challenged me to *have fun* and enjoy life. He took me golfing with him, to the Frank Phillips College baseball field to eat a hotdog and enjoy the game, and then to watch a great movie, Lincoln Lawyer. He is such a great husband whom I dearly love.
Gushy newlywed, I know but oh well…..life is too short not to gush! Lol!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Dove Chocolate
There is a commercial on TV about Dove Chocolate Bliss. Well, I experienced my own bliss today. Spent 3 1/2 glorious hours with my dad at his nursing home. The last few weeks, I have only been able to spend maybe one hour a week with him due to either time constraints, people that were with me, or just the time of day (my dad goes to sleep at 6pm!). I hate it but the truth is that Sunday mornings are the absolute best times (for me) to visit my dad. The nursing home is quiet, the nurses are available (and not stressed out), my dad is very alert and cheerful (as I am), and I get to be there when he gets his vitals taken as well as other medical procedures. It's just a perfect time
But when it's my month to teach Sunday School for the college students, then it's a totally DIFFERENT story. I have to try to SQUEEEEEZE time with my dad in between other stuff. Stuff like attending Breckyn's ballgames, time with Bobby's daughters, time with our new grandson: Kingston, our adopted college student Lizzet, etc. It's just regular life but now raised a couple of notches since I have gotten married. Bobby and I are working at blending our families and it can get stressful because I hate it makes me feel that time with my dad is last and comes after all the other commitments. It leaves me feeling so sad and bummed because time with my dad is one of the most precious things to my heart.
Therefore, March was my last month to teach Sunday School. That 'season' of my life is closed for now and this new 'season' is beginning. Time to devote to my dad and my new family. I have peace and I think God says that it's "okay". :-)
But when it's my month to teach Sunday School for the college students, then it's a totally DIFFERENT story. I have to try to SQUEEEEEZE time with my dad in between other stuff. Stuff like attending Breckyn's ballgames, time with Bobby's daughters, time with our new grandson: Kingston, our adopted college student Lizzet, etc. It's just regular life but now raised a couple of notches since I have gotten married. Bobby and I are working at blending our families and it can get stressful because I hate it makes me feel that time with my dad is last and comes after all the other commitments. It leaves me feeling so sad and bummed because time with my dad is one of the most precious things to my heart.
Therefore, March was my last month to teach Sunday School. That 'season' of my life is closed for now and this new 'season' is beginning. Time to devote to my dad and my new family. I have peace and I think God says that it's "okay". :-)
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Achy Legs, John Calvin, and Love at 45
45 years old and being a newlywed has many highs, many challenges, and many joys. After being a single mom since 1997, I have to keep praying that Bobby continues to have unending patience with me. I have been on my own for sooooooo soooooo long and learning to trust, to lean, and to communicate my needs is extremely difficult. The union of 2 being made into 1....that is what I am learning.
Almighty God, we were lost from the beginning, when it pleased you to extend your hand and restore us to salvation for your Son's sake. Although we daily run headlong to our own ruin, we pray that our continual sin will not provoke you into withdrawing your mercy from us.... Through your Spirit, destroy the wickedness of our heart and restore us to a sound mind. -- John Calvin, adapted from his Commentary on Hosea
So aside from my newlywed comment. I am, today, suffering the after effects of minor stupidity on my part. So the background for this story is that I have been involved with TELPAS training and test administration for 3 days straight. It has been taxing and physically draining. So last night, I was ready to push the envelope on my daily run. I usually run 1.5 miles and I decided to challenge myself in order to peel off some of the tenseness and stress from the past week and a half. I ran. And ran. And then ran some more. 5 miles. I felt exilerated and high on adrenaline and so proud of myself! Unfortunately, during the evening my legs said otherwise! All night my legs throbbed. I slept very little as I tossed and turned with aches & pains. I arrived to school feeling every so groggy and dull minded as well as having throbbing leg muscles. I am so thankful I was not in the classroom because anyone who teaches knows that you have to be 100% on your toes when you teach!! Those students will hone in on whatever weakness you have in the first 5 second of class(especially high schoolers who will eat you up and spit you out)! I am so, so thankful that we had 1 hour free before beginning the TELPAS administration (for absentees). I was able to load up on coffee and sit blissfully in the library chairs. Ah bliss
Note to self. NEVER NEVER NEVER run for 5 miles straight!
Almighty God, we were lost from the beginning, when it pleased you to extend your hand and restore us to salvation for your Son's sake. Although we daily run headlong to our own ruin, we pray that our continual sin will not provoke you into withdrawing your mercy from us.... Through your Spirit, destroy the wickedness of our heart and restore us to a sound mind. -- John Calvin, adapted from his Commentary on Hosea
So aside from my newlywed comment. I am, today, suffering the after effects of minor stupidity on my part. So the background for this story is that I have been involved with TELPAS training and test administration for 3 days straight. It has been taxing and physically draining. So last night, I was ready to push the envelope on my daily run. I usually run 1.5 miles and I decided to challenge myself in order to peel off some of the tenseness and stress from the past week and a half. I ran. And ran. And then ran some more. 5 miles. I felt exilerated and high on adrenaline and so proud of myself! Unfortunately, during the evening my legs said otherwise! All night my legs throbbed. I slept very little as I tossed and turned with aches & pains. I arrived to school feeling every so groggy and dull minded as well as having throbbing leg muscles. I am so thankful I was not in the classroom because anyone who teaches knows that you have to be 100% on your toes when you teach!! Those students will hone in on whatever weakness you have in the first 5 second of class(especially high schoolers who will eat you up and spit you out)! I am so, so thankful that we had 1 hour free before beginning the TELPAS administration (for absentees). I was able to load up on coffee and sit blissfully in the library chairs. Ah bliss
Note to self. NEVER NEVER NEVER run for 5 miles straight!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Weariness
So exhausted. Physically. Emotionally. Psychologically. Bobby had a minor procedure done and had to fast for almost 48 hours. The last 48 hours have been tough. He couldn't sleep last night so I stayed up with him watching basketball and then got up early to go to Amarillo. I also was inwardly praying that this would just be a normal procedure but at the back of my mind was the fear of the possibility of something more. I prayed for strength. I prayed for trust. I prayed for fortitude.
Now, I feel like crying. Just the relief that all went well. Thank you Lord.
During Bobby's procedure, I studied and prepared to teach my Sunday School lesson. Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was against mighty opposition but he knew God was with him. This story encouraged me. Also knowing that the Jews had been in Babylon captivity for 70 years showed me that despite difficult years and difficult trials, God continues to walk with us. He holds our future in his hands....in the good times and in the bad times.
Romans 8:35 - 39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Quote from Jonathan Edwards, 18th century preacher & missionary...
"When we go before God in prayer with a cold, dull heart, and in a lifeless and listless manner pray to him for eternal blessings... we should think of Christ's earnest prayers that he poured out to God, with tears and a bloody sweat. The consideration of it may well make us ashamed of our dull, lifeless prayers to God, [in which] we rather ask a denial than ask to be heard; for the language of such a manner of praying to God is that we do not look upon the benefit that we pray for as of any great importance, that we are indifferent whether God answers us or not. The example of Jacob in wrestling with God for the blessing should teach us earnestness in our prayers, but more especially the example of Jesus Christ, who wrestled with God in a bloody sweat."
Now, I feel like crying. Just the relief that all went well. Thank you Lord.
During Bobby's procedure, I studied and prepared to teach my Sunday School lesson. Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Nehemiah was against mighty opposition but he knew God was with him. This story encouraged me. Also knowing that the Jews had been in Babylon captivity for 70 years showed me that despite difficult years and difficult trials, God continues to walk with us. He holds our future in his hands....in the good times and in the bad times.
Romans 8:35 - 39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Quote from Jonathan Edwards, 18th century preacher & missionary...
"When we go before God in prayer with a cold, dull heart, and in a lifeless and listless manner pray to him for eternal blessings... we should think of Christ's earnest prayers that he poured out to God, with tears and a bloody sweat. The consideration of it may well make us ashamed of our dull, lifeless prayers to God, [in which] we rather ask a denial than ask to be heard; for the language of such a manner of praying to God is that we do not look upon the benefit that we pray for as of any great importance, that we are indifferent whether God answers us or not. The example of Jacob in wrestling with God for the blessing should teach us earnestness in our prayers, but more especially the example of Jesus Christ, who wrestled with God in a bloody sweat."
Thursday, March 24, 2011
wow!
I was out of the classroom today in an all day meeting for TELPAS. When the meeting ended at 3:30, I got online and checked my email. I got this email from my husband...
From: Apple Store [mailto:order_acknowledgment@orders.apple.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 1:05 PM
To: Forrest, Robert L
Subject: Order Acknowledgment W298087099
Order Acknowledgment
Order Number: W298087099
Ordered on Mar 24, 2011
Bill to
Robert Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Ship to
Elizabeth Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Items in Your Order
IPAD WI-FI 3G 64GB WHITE - PRSN-USA
From: Apple Store [mailto:order_acknowledgment@orders.apple.com]
Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2011 1:05 PM
To: Forrest, Robert L
Subject: Order Acknowledgment W298087099
Order Acknowledgment
Order Number: W298087099
Ordered on Mar 24, 2011
Bill to
Robert Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Ship to
Elizabeth Forrest
1426 Lancelot
BORGER TX 79007-6339
(806)223-9854
Items in Your Order
IPAD WI-FI 3G 64GB WHITE - PRSN-USA
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
2 1/2 days
2 1/2 days. Two and a half days. That's all I have to work this week. Great huh? I love it especially since at this time of year, teachers (like students) are weary and exhausted. I am a rater for TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) so today I only taught 1/2 day and then had a training for this assessment system in regards to English Language Learners. Tomorrow I will teach all day and then that is it. I will rate writing examples all day Thursday and then I have a date with Bobby on Friday (we have doctor appts... lol!).
Judith Mota, one of my ESL students back when she was in 5th grade and who is now a Frank Phillips student, is coming tomorrow to shadow me in class. I remember when I shadowed teachers. Doesn't seem that long ago (12 years ago). I pray the experience is a good one for her. I pray that I can how her the balance that teaching is. The hard, hard, hard work and the great, great, great joy. I have 3 great passions in my life: my teaching, my parenting, and my faith. They are all centered and grounded in my heavenly Father and I count myself blessed.
Lent has begun and I am involved in this as are Ben and Anna. I am proud because their college friends for the past 3 years have also become involved in this. Just a way to re-focus on the meaning of Easter. My Lent devotional was so meaningful and powerful.
Today's Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits--to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Today's Quote
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ on the deck,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
-- from the prayer of St. Patrick
Judith Mota, one of my ESL students back when she was in 5th grade and who is now a Frank Phillips student, is coming tomorrow to shadow me in class. I remember when I shadowed teachers. Doesn't seem that long ago (12 years ago). I pray the experience is a good one for her. I pray that I can how her the balance that teaching is. The hard, hard, hard work and the great, great, great joy. I have 3 great passions in my life: my teaching, my parenting, and my faith. They are all centered and grounded in my heavenly Father and I count myself blessed.
Lent has begun and I am involved in this as are Ben and Anna. I am proud because their college friends for the past 3 years have also become involved in this. Just a way to re-focus on the meaning of Easter. My Lent devotional was so meaningful and powerful.
Today's Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:18-22
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits--to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him.
Today's Quote
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ on the deck,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
-- from the prayer of St. Patrick
Saturday, March 19, 2011
End of Days
We had Anna's bridal shower today. The day began with me, Bobby, and Anna eating breakfast at JT's and then coming back to work on the hostess gifts. We had 4 of my sisters at the shower along with my nieces as well as some of Anna's girlfriends from both high school and college. This touched her heart. The hostesses are all dear friends of not only me but Anna as well which made the day even more special! We had great food which I knew we would because the hostesses are all amazing cooks!! Such a great and yummy banquet! I can't begin to emphasize how much of a blessing this day was to both Anna and I. It humbles me. It makes me think of what Anna keeps saying throughout this whole wedding process, "I never realized so many people loved me and how they are so wonderfully showing that love."
I don't think I can say it any better.
Now I think of these end of days with college students. End of days with my daughter and son. Somewhat bittersweet. This spring break has been filled with such fun days/evenings: days with my daughter getting things ready for her wedding, evenings having supper with Bobby, Anna, John Mark and Zack (Anna & John Mark's friend from college). Now as I look at the living room full of this crazy crew, I think of how I will miss these days. Ben and two of his college friends are now here so it's a house full! Ben and friends came in last night from their California road trip and now everyone is laying on my living room floor and looking through NetFlix trying to decide on a movie. This in the midst of John Mark playing the instrument/horn, the vuvuzela. We got it at last night's indoor football game at the Civic Center and it's been a hit at our house. Hilarious! Bobby is also taking them outdoors to go watch the "Supermoon" later.
Tomorrow, everyone leaves. Bittersweet. End of days. Everyone back to their normal days but I will still remember.....
I don't think I can say it any better.
Now I think of these end of days with college students. End of days with my daughter and son. Somewhat bittersweet. This spring break has been filled with such fun days/evenings: days with my daughter getting things ready for her wedding, evenings having supper with Bobby, Anna, John Mark and Zack (Anna & John Mark's friend from college). Now as I look at the living room full of this crazy crew, I think of how I will miss these days. Ben and two of his college friends are now here so it's a house full! Ben and friends came in last night from their California road trip and now everyone is laying on my living room floor and looking through NetFlix trying to decide on a movie. This in the midst of John Mark playing the instrument/horn, the vuvuzela. We got it at last night's indoor football game at the Civic Center and it's been a hit at our house. Hilarious! Bobby is also taking them outdoors to go watch the "Supermoon" later.
Tomorrow, everyone leaves. Bittersweet. End of days. Everyone back to their normal days but I will still remember.....
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Quelf
Fun day shopping with my daughter (and niece, Jessica) today. I thank my heavenly Father for Anna and this special time of our lives. Her wedding. Being raised by a single mom has cultivated such a intrinsic nature within her for price consciousness. She always feels guilty for asking me to spend too much money on anything. At Christmas, it was a new wool coat that she desperately needed! She felt so bad needing a new coat! Today, it was new makeup. She needed new makeup and I decided that since her bridal shower was this Saturday that we would for fore go Walmart makeup and go to the Ulta to buy her good quality makeup. She kept saying, "Mom, we don't need to do this if it's too much money." I told her no and that she could for once feel like a princess with "extravagant" facial items. It was such fun blessing her!!
Last night, it was fun blessing Anna's fiance John Mark. We were able to pull off a surprise birthday party for him. The Big 23! Anna and I spent the day cooking pork tenderloin, twice baked potatoes, mandarin bacon spinach salad, lemon blueberry cupcakes and ginger chocolate shortbread! We had a great crew of 15 folks here to celebrate. We played the game, Quelf, which proved to be a *R*I*O*T* to play!!! I highly highly recommend this board game. Hilarious and fun!
www.quelf.com
Last night, it was fun blessing Anna's fiance John Mark. We were able to pull off a surprise birthday party for him. The Big 23! Anna and I spent the day cooking pork tenderloin, twice baked potatoes, mandarin bacon spinach salad, lemon blueberry cupcakes and ginger chocolate shortbread! We had a great crew of 15 folks here to celebrate. We played the game, Quelf, which proved to be a *R*I*O*T* to play!!! I highly highly recommend this board game. Hilarious and fun!
www.quelf.com
Friday, March 11, 2011
Spring Break begins!
Let's all breathe a long and heavy sigh..... Aaaaaah, Spring Break. And to make it even better the weather is cooperating! It's simply gorgeous outside. No wind, warmth with a just a bit of crispness. It's heavenly! School let out at lunch so I was able to run errands this afternoon without the usual frantic madness. Don't you love a 1/2 day of school on the Friday before Xmas and Spring Break? I love the person who thought of this brilliant idea.
Anna, John Mark, and college friend are on their way from OBU as I type. I am thrilled to have them home for the week. Thrilled! So looking forward to doing wedding planning, shopping, etc. We have the full week to focus on the wedding plus we plan on doing some "mommy & me" stuff too. Pedicures, manicures, haircuts, etc. Such fun huh? If any men read this I am sure they are rolling their eyes. Lol!
It's a wonderful time and I plan on relishing it.
Meanwhile, Benjamin is still at OBU and will leave tomorrow with 6 college friends on a California Road Trip! Their "Senior Farewell Trip". They will stop at the Grand Canyon for one day and then make their trekk to California. I have to say I am a bit jealous! So happy that he loves to travel. His grandparents that were migrant farmworkers would be thrilled that he is traveling the roads that they themselves traveled as well (even the same states!).
Anna, John Mark, and college friend are on their way from OBU as I type. I am thrilled to have them home for the week. Thrilled! So looking forward to doing wedding planning, shopping, etc. We have the full week to focus on the wedding plus we plan on doing some "mommy & me" stuff too. Pedicures, manicures, haircuts, etc. Such fun huh? If any men read this I am sure they are rolling their eyes. Lol!
It's a wonderful time and I plan on relishing it.
Meanwhile, Benjamin is still at OBU and will leave tomorrow with 6 college friends on a California Road Trip! Their "Senior Farewell Trip". They will stop at the Grand Canyon for one day and then make their trekk to California. I have to say I am a bit jealous! So happy that he loves to travel. His grandparents that were migrant farmworkers would be thrilled that he is traveling the roads that they themselves traveled as well (even the same states!).
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Great Day
So here I am relaxing at home and waiting on my husband. After almost 6 months, I still love th sound of that....my husband! God is so good.
Anyway, Bobby is working late and for once in a long, long time I was able to come home as soon as school let out. Incredible! It's been a busy busy 2011 for me and I was astonished to realize that I didn't have anything pressing tonight! Quite rare these days!
I came home and made this incredibly delicious recipe (just for me...another treat!).
http://www.recipe.com/twirly-whirly-pizza/
I made a homemade tomato sauce for this recipe and then used a provolone/mozzarella cheese mix. This coupled with spinach was so tasty! I highly recommend it. Fast and easy too!
So last night I had a Premier Jewelry party. I only invited teacher friends, family, and a few close friends. Last week, I was totally CONSUMED with Bobby's 50th surprise birthday party so I didn't have time to mail out invitations for this jewelry party. My mentality had become, "Let's just get this jewelry gig out of the way." Well, it may sound funny but God is so good and TOTALLY blessed my socks off through it. Funny huh how God uses little things that He knows will touch our hearts and encourage us? Well, my mother-in-law, Janet; sister-in-law, Carol;and my stepdaughters came and we had so much fun. I am so blessed by this new family and their love for me! Also, I love parties like these (it's something that my mom did a lot of and I always remember all the fun it was). I especially love that everyone worked so hard for me to get 10 folks there. There was an extra benefit if 10 people were there. Morgon, Sommer, and Janet worked so hard at this They were calling everyone and anyone to come! So funny....especially Morgon .....she called probably 20 folks!! ha ha.
Well, I am thrilled to say that I got $150 in free jewelry and 6 half-price items. Cool huh? I love it! I really love it!
Hey, I hear my handsome husband driving up! I am about to go get my weights to do some weight training.
Anyway, Bobby is working late and for once in a long, long time I was able to come home as soon as school let out. Incredible! It's been a busy busy 2011 for me and I was astonished to realize that I didn't have anything pressing tonight! Quite rare these days!
I came home and made this incredibly delicious recipe (just for me...another treat!).
http://www.recipe.com/twirly-whirly-pizza/
I made a homemade tomato sauce for this recipe and then used a provolone/mozzarella cheese mix. This coupled with spinach was so tasty! I highly recommend it. Fast and easy too!
So last night I had a Premier Jewelry party. I only invited teacher friends, family, and a few close friends. Last week, I was totally CONSUMED with Bobby's 50th surprise birthday party so I didn't have time to mail out invitations for this jewelry party. My mentality had become, "Let's just get this jewelry gig out of the way." Well, it may sound funny but God is so good and TOTALLY blessed my socks off through it. Funny huh how God uses little things that He knows will touch our hearts and encourage us? Well, my mother-in-law, Janet; sister-in-law, Carol;and my stepdaughters came and we had so much fun. I am so blessed by this new family and their love for me! Also, I love parties like these (it's something that my mom did a lot of and I always remember all the fun it was). I especially love that everyone worked so hard for me to get 10 folks there. There was an extra benefit if 10 people were there. Morgon, Sommer, and Janet worked so hard at this They were calling everyone and anyone to come! So funny....especially Morgon .....she called probably 20 folks!! ha ha.
Well, I am thrilled to say that I got $150 in free jewelry and 6 half-price items. Cool huh? I love it! I really love it!
Hey, I hear my handsome husband driving up! I am about to go get my weights to do some weight training.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Early
Early mornings in solitude are my absolute favorite. I just truly do love them. Doing laundry and getting my house in order and then sitting down to a nice cup of coffee to have time with my Savior really ministers to my spirit. I like watching the sun come shining through the windows. It's beautiful and is a wonderful day to begin the day. This plus my morning run causes me to feel that I can tackle anything that the day may hold for me.
Today it's a TCY basketball game for 1st graders that Breckyn plays in. Bobby coaches and it is such a joy to see Bobby share this with his eldest grandon. We have truly enjoyed it. He will also be coaching him in baseball so the fun will continue. We will also go see Bobby's nephew, Nathan, play golf later in the day. I will then go to Amarillo to see my Dad. I told Bobby the other day that one should take into consideration when considering marriage the sizes of each other's families. Ha ha! Bobby has a big family and I have a big family. Both our families live here in Borger and we are VERY involved in each other's lives so this equals to a BUSY BUSY life. I have loved it but I also have had to adapt and have begun to realize that I have to begin to give up some of my other obligations. I can't do all that I used to. As God shows me over and over again...it's another season of my life....a truly joyful one that is bringing new and exciting things!! THANK YOU FATHER.
Today it's a TCY basketball game for 1st graders that Breckyn plays in. Bobby coaches and it is such a joy to see Bobby share this with his eldest grandon. We have truly enjoyed it. He will also be coaching him in baseball so the fun will continue. We will also go see Bobby's nephew, Nathan, play golf later in the day. I will then go to Amarillo to see my Dad. I told Bobby the other day that one should take into consideration when considering marriage the sizes of each other's families. Ha ha! Bobby has a big family and I have a big family. Both our families live here in Borger and we are VERY involved in each other's lives so this equals to a BUSY BUSY life. I have loved it but I also have had to adapt and have begun to realize that I have to begin to give up some of my other obligations. I can't do all that I used to. As God shows me over and over again...it's another season of my life....a truly joyful one that is bringing new and exciting things!! THANK YOU FATHER.
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