Skaggs Familia!

College Speech

2012-01-25T04:32:00.000-08:00

We, teachers, are supposed to speak to our students about our college experience today. Since I tend to ramble and get off track easily, I decided I better have a "rough draft"....

My College Soapbox....

I am passionate about college not just because I am a teacher but because of my background. I grew up in south Texas. My parents were born in South Texas. My mom in Donna, Tx and my dad in Harlingen, Tx. My grandparents were from Mexico. My parents were migrant farmworkers. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THAT IS? you travel from place to place working in the fields and ranches. In south Texas, at the time I grew up, many families did this. All of them hispanic families...

I started working when I was 8 years old. From 5:30 am - 6 pm in the fields every day from April to October. From late October to early April, I attended school. My parents and my 4 sisters would travel to Wyoming and Washington state. In Wyoming, we would work the sugar beet harvest and bean harvest. In Washington state, we would work the apple harvest.

It was VERY difficult work and we lived in poverty. When I show immigrants wanting to come to the USA in class I show it with passion because even though I ddidn't immigrate here I know what it's like to live in terrible poverty and to want a better life for yourself. I saw that in my parents. They would do ANYTHING to give their children a better lifhen they drilled COLLEGE into our brains! They didn't want the cycle of poverty and not having choices to continue. they had to make tough decisions because of this dream that they had for us. They moved us from south Tx to the Panhandle of TX, my sophomore year, and it was like going to a foreign land. No Hispanics here. Spanish language was not the dominant language. Poverty because my dad and mom had to start over. But my dad KNEW it was better for his kid's future. There were better better opportunities for his 4 daughters here. My sisters and I hated it because my older sister and I were in high school and we were having to start all over. But you know what? 4 of my 5 sisters have either 2 year or 4 year college degrees! We would not have had that if we had stayed in south Texas. Too much poverty and few chances at college.

Here in Borger, I realized I could go to college. One of my sophomore teachers recommended me for advanced English. I thought "wow?". In that class, I began to think, "Maybe I can go to college? Maybe? Maybe?". No one was there to help me or show me or guide me. I just researched and got the paperwork myself. I found out there were tons of scholarships and grants especially if you were poverty / low-income like me. Then I found out that if you studied a subject that was in high demand that there were more scholarships and grants. I studied Accounting during my years at Frank Phillips College (I made all A's) but later on I switched to education after I taught Sunday School and realized I loved children! I got married after graduating from Frank and moved to Denver, Colorado. I decided to wait a year before continuing but then we got transferred to the Philippines (Air Force). We lived in the Philippines for 3 years. When we returned, we moved back to Borger and I started back to WTAMU but only for one semester because then we moved around some more before settling in at Louisville, KY. I started college at University of Louisville I attended school there for 2 years. I was one semester away from graduating but then we moved again. To Glorieta/ Santa Fe New Mexico. I then went through a divorce and came back to Borger and finished my degree at WTAMU.

Don't give up if you think college is unattainable. When I first taught at Borger Middle School, many Hispanic students were shocked when I would say I had my degree. They would ask, "You mean Hispanics can go to college?" Yes! Yes! Anyone can!

I help a lot of students with their paperwork for college by the way. That is the only draw back, paperwork. But if you are willing to sort through the paperwork and trouble of trying to fill it out, IT IS WORTH IT!!

Elizabeth Hernandez-Forrest

2011 - 2012

2012-01-05T18:27:00.000-08:00

I llove Lissa Anglin’s website (http://www.lissaanglin.com/blog/) - - both her beautiful pictures and her blog. Her recent post really encouraged me to look at my past year and then to the upcoming year…

Struggles/To Do list for year 2012:

INVEST more in my problem classes/students. I have really seen this come true this last year. Praying diligently for my problem classes/students helps me be sensitive and teaches me to love them! It’s rocked my world!

PUSH my boundaries in regards to my weak areas. Learning to say “no”, learning to not be too much of a people pleaser, learning to take more time for ME, and learning to speak up for myself. A friend of mine, posted this wonderful saying on Facebook, “Wisdom to know which bridges to cross and which bridges to burn.”

Continue to GROW…..as a new mother-in-law, stepmom, mom, new daughter-in-law, new sister-in-law, and aunt. These are all areas I need to grow and be better in.

KEEP UP with friends better. Be intentional. Be available. This is so, so hard!

Stay ON TRACK with my health & fitness. Don’t let the busyness of life, teaching, family, etc to take away from this. It’s such a big part of a healthy me.

Accomplishments of 2011:

Did the IMPOSSIBLE (in my mind that is!) - - got my daughter, Anna, married. Got my son, Ben, graduated. Got a group of 28 people to Spain & France for a 10 day trip. Got the old house that I had lived in for 12 years cleaned, boxed up of all possessions, and totally empty all by myself!!

Got my “BEARINGS” in regards to being married. This is quite an accomplishment after being a single mom for 12 years. Only other single moms know what I mean!

Kind of ties in with the above: GREW our marriage. Lissa Anglin mentioned that a friend's mom once told her that couples in a healthy marriage need to date weekly, retreat monthly, and vacation yearly. I am thankful that Bobby makes sure that we do this a lot. He is a great husband.

WITHDREW from being involved with the college ministry at church. This was a hard, hard decision which is why I include it as an accomplishment (remember the part about saying “no”?). With my dad’s health, new family, new marriage, etc., I knew that this was the “season of my life” that I had to pare down my extracurricular activities.

RECEIVED the Teacher of the District award (http://www.borgernewsherald.com/content/forrest-receives-rootgillespie-foundation-award)

JOINED a monthly book club that I am thoroughly enjoying. I am loving having the time to read again. Love the monthly time we get together to discuss, ponder, and question books and their themes! ☺

"Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure..than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt

Husbands

2011-10-30T15:44:00.001-07:00

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

One month/One year

2011-07-26T11:07:00.000-07:00

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.

Apricots

2011-06-25T07:45:00.000-07:00

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!!!

Praises

2011-06-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

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.

My Dad & Erma Bombeck

2011-06-17T05:27:00.000-07:00

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!

Summer 2010

2011-06-16T15:32:00.001-07:00

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!

Interrupted Dreams

2011-06-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

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!

Headaches

2011-06-11T17:54:00.000-07:00

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.

Ecclesiastes

2011-06-10T07:08:00.000-07:00

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.

Strong men

2011-06-09T06:53:00.000-07:00

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.

"Sobremesa"

2011-06-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

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.

God is good

2011-06-02T12:18:00.000-07:00

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.

Life in the Blender

2011-05-27T04:26:00.000-07:00

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.

Crazy Days

2011-05-04T16:15:00.000-07:00

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!!!!!!

Quiet Evenings

2011-05-02T18:34:00.000-07:00

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.

Major & Drastic Changes In My Life

2011-04-28T15:11:00.000-07:00

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?

End of 2010/2011

2011-04-25T19:14:00.000-07:00

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!

Sugar Daddy

2011-04-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

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!

Palm Sunday

2011-04-18T17:09:00.000-07:00

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.

Warren, Weddings, and Willingness

2011-04-17T19:05:00.000-07:00

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!

This is the Stuff

2011-04-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

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!!

My deeds slew Christ

2011-04-14T18:39:00.000-07:00

"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!!!

six months

2011-04-11T14:54:00.000-07:00

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!!!

Gushy

2011-04-05T17:42:00.000-07:00

"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!

Dove Chocolate

2011-04-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

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". :-)

Achy Legs, John Calvin, and Love at 45

2011-03-30T17:13:00.001-07:00

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!

Weariness

2011-03-25T15:51:00.000-07:00

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."

wow!

2011-03-24T15:03:00.000-07:00

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

2 1/2 days

2011-03-22T17:44:00.000-07:00

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

End of Days

2011-03-19T19:04:00.000-07:00

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.....

Quelf

2011-03-15T14:17:00.000-07:00

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

Spring Break begins!

2011-03-11T13:37:00.000-08:00

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!).

Great Day

2011-03-09T17:48:00.000-08:00

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.

Early

2011-03-05T05:36:00.000-08:00

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.

Summer's End

2010-08-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

"Who among the gods is like you, O'Lord? Who is like you - majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders." Exodus 15:11

A lot of folks on blogspots and Facebook have been talking about summers end and all the fond memories of this summer. I decided to jump on the bandwagon.

The verse above is one that spoke to me during my week in the Colorado mountains (one morning as I was having my quiet time out on the porch of my cabin). I felt so grateful and blessed for the summer I was having.

The summer began with teaching Summer School which is quite taxing and tiring for me. Working 9+ hours with only one 20 minute break in the day can wear one down. This coupled with teaching only ONE subject the whole day long is also difficult. But my Father God is kind and thoughtful and merciful. He gave me only 2 students and Mr. McCarthy (principal) allowed me to teach the class anyway since he knew I was a single parent and the extra income is needed. This greatly lightened the load. Both students were *TOP NOTCH* and over-achievers which for a teacher is a huge blessing! Bobby Forrest also blessed me by giving me spa days twice during the month. I can't begin to tell you what this meant to me!! As a single parent, I never ever splurge on anything like this (I get my hair cut at Frank Phillips College due to the price). I felt like a QUEEN! I thank my Heavenly Father for the month of June.

Then in July, I worked another week administering the summer TAKS. This was difficult because I was battling a *severe* upper respiratory infection at the time. It really "ate my lunch". I was so sick. I thank God that the week was only for 1/2 days and that the other teachers helping (Mrs Wilson and Mrs McCarthy) were such great ladies to do this with. They kept me laughing and entertained so that the morning passed quickly and enjoyably.

I then went for a FABULOUS week to Colorado with Bobby and his girls. He treated me so great and refused that I pay for anything even though I kept offering. It was such a time of refuge, relaxation, and rejuvenation for me. We golfed, fished (I caught 4 fish!), rafted, hiked,shopped, and played miniature golf. Greatest vacation *EVER*!! I got to know his family better (his 2 girls and his brother's family) and the week went fantastically.

The last week of July was full of shopping garage sales & Salvation Army with Anna (in between her summer classes at FPC) for her wedding. I love having her home with me during the summers. She is such a wonderful companion, helper, and best friend. I will miss her terribly next summer as she will be married! Wow huh?

August, so far, has been busy with getting ready for school. I love, love, love this time of year. The "newness", the "excitement", the "anticipation" of school starting. I love working in my room and planning my year with my wonderful students. I love my profession and the gifts I am able to use to minister with my students.

So it's been a fun and productive summer. Now, I await the arrival of my precious son, Ben in two weeks. Another GREAT JOY!!

Thank you God.

latest

2010-07-28T18:14:00.001-07:00

The names Elizabeth...
I now reside... in a house that I've lived in(on & off) for 21 years.
I come from...small town in south Texas which is drastically different than Borger,Tx
I just want to....enjoy the last weeks of summer before teaching resumes.
I am learning to...trust God re: my future (however scary and wonderful that is!)
I believe in... trying always to be kind.
I want to make a difference....in the kids I teach and the kids I am raising.
I believe in helping even... when it's not convenient.
I cant wait to figure out...how I will live the rest of my 40's.
I am.... sensitive (sometimes to a fault).
I like to.... journal (I have them dating back to when I was 12 yrs old)
I drink....coffee every day (I just got a coffee press for my b-day!!!)
I over-analyze...*EVERYTHING* (absolutely everything!! I am not kidding!)
I am very.... naive and moody (weird combination)
I like....tattoos & piercings (but never, never on myself!)
I love ... Bobby Forrest
I would love to .... travel more.
I am a terrible ... lier.
I am addicted to .... the website www.mydailyplate.com
I live my life through ...quotes from books, movies, & music.
I do not know how to ... be bold.
I ____ when im depressed.....cry deeply and heartily.
I have a huge ... crush on Bobby Flay.
God's _____ gets me through every day..... presence

Thankful

2010-07-15T19:31:00.000-07:00

I am so thankful to be feeling better. A bit of a cough and a slight headache are all that remain from the upper respiratory infection. Praise God! Bobby, his mom, and my sister all got it as well. Not fun. As Bobby likes to remind me, "You are not a great patient." He is so right. As a single mom, EVERYTHING depends on me (income, bills, house, yard, etc) so being sick is a *BIG* inconvenience in my life. I praise God that I was the worst during Sunday and Monday which were the days that I was not working. Tuesday through today...I had to give the summer administration of TAKS which involves lots of talking and walking which if I had been very sick then would have had to cancel. God is good because he knows the extra income is for the wedding.

Good news is that I leave with Bobby and his family on Saturday. One whole week in the mountains. Fishing, golfing, swimming, and just hanging out. Lots of fun and I am looking forward to it immensely!

I also am excited because I got to meet with Abbie Reyes today. She is our new addition to the Spanish department. She taught 5 years in White Deer and is an *EXCELLENT* Spanish teacher. My twin in teaching methodology and pedagogy. I love her and am so thrilled to have her on board. We will have an amazing, amazing, amazing group of teachers this year in our department. Whoop! Whoop!

Something Fun

2010-07-13T04:15:00.001-07:00

For Today
Outside my window: Dark since it's so early. I have been sick (upper respiratory infection) so I have been up trying to get a control on my "uncontrollable" cough.

I Am Thinking: About giving TAKS exams this morning and if my voice will hold up or not.

I Am Thankful For: Feeling better even though I still need a ways to go. And also for good friends who were so sweet to me during my time of illness.

From The Kitchen: Nothing but hot tea, lemon, honey, and vinegar. I ate a little of some yummy chicken pot pie that a friend brought by.

I Am Wearing: black capris, white "bling" shirt that Bobby got me for my birthday, and a sweater (I am cold for some weird reason?)

On the 'Go Organize' Front: I organized my closet last week. No organizing this week due to illness.

I Am Going: To go give TAKS test this morning and then I will most probably come back home to rest even though I *REALLY* want to go see the movie, Despicable Me.

I Am Reading: see yesterday's post for a list of what I am reading. With being sick, I can't seem to focus in order to read. Every time I try to read, my brain gets muddled and foggy.

I Am Hoping: That vacation time with Bobby's family this weekend will be fun.

I Am Praying For: China Mission Team from our church. They leave Thursday.

I Am Hearing: our new kitty, Willy, playing with the blinds. He's so funny.

Around The House: Getting ready to go on vacation and making sure Anna, my 20 year old, is okay all by herself for a few days.

One Of My Favorite Things: Starting to finally feel better. I want to feel 100% so that I can go to Amarillo to see, Despicable Me & use my birthday gift cards (Target, Starbucks, Hastings...)

A Few Plans For The Rest of The Week: TAKS exams (I am the proctor/administrator) every morning this week. Trying to get 100% better and over this illness.

Have a great week everyone!

Good Quotes

2010-07-11T06:07:00.000-07:00

Right now I am in the middle of reading 4 books...

*For Better: The Science of a Good Marriage (Tara Parker-Pope)
*Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey: The River of Doubt (Candice Millard)
*The Freedom Writer's Diary: How a Teacher & 150 Teens are Writing to Change Themselves & the World around Them (Erin Gruwell)
*My Name is Asher Lev (Chaim Potok)

Good quotes form the various books...

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools" - Martin Luther King

"Adversity is not something you walk through but something you leap over. The only obstacles are the ones you allow. A Chain is only as strong as its' weakest link. A truly self reliant person person finds his weak link and strengthens it."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The real soul mate is the one you are actually married to." -J.R.R. Tolkien

"If I get married, I want to be very married." -Audry Hepburn

"The heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of." -Blaise Pascal

"What a happy and holy fashion it is that those who love one another should rest on the same pillow." -Nathaniel Hawthorne

Snow Storm Vacation of 2010

2010-01-31T13:29:00.000-08:00

I've just experienced the most wonderful, exciting, fun, and restful Snow Storm of 2010! It has been *FaBuLoUs*!! The unexpectedness of it was what made it great as well as not being able to do many things outside the home (errands, chores, etc.). It truly was a relaxing time with special people.

I was able to get a lot of school work done (grading papers, etc) as well as enjoying one of my favorite hobbies....READING!! I read 3 books: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ramona the Pest, and A Year of Living Biblically. All 3 books were fabulous and were thought provoking on different levels. Yes, even Ramona the Pest because it shows such a beautiful picture into the mind of a kinder-gardener!! I spent time with Bobby which is always such a blessing to me. He makes life *FUN* for me. Even something as mundane as shoveling the driveway with him had me laughing and cracking up! He was a gentleman and didn't throw me into the snow which he had threatened to do. lol.

I spent time with the Rustens as well as Bobby's parents. Playing board games (Sequence board game is our new favorite game!) was so fun. Bobby's parents have a fire place so playing board games in front of a roaring fire is the BEST!

I also was able to spend a half day of solitude. This is something I used to do a lot when Ben & Anna would go spend time with their dad when they were younger (we are divorced). I read the concept in a magazine and loved it! The idea is to not do anything related to tv watching, computer use, cell phone use, chores, etc. A Day of Solitude to focus on oneself spiritually in one way or another. I usually spend one hour on each of the following: prayer, journaling, listening to praise music, reading inspiration books, going on a walk outdoors, preparing a healthy simple meal for oneself, and writing encouraging letters/cards to people. This time I used only a 1/2 day and it was such a blessing. Such a wonderful way to get away with God alone and undisturbed. I highly recommend it to anyone who has as little as 1 hour of free time!

Well, that is what my Snow Storm Vacation of 2010 was like!! Thank you God!!

Alert the Media!

2010-01-22T05:40:00.001-08:00

It's a miracle yes I know. For me to blog after such a long absence huh? Lol. Anyway, I have been back to my journaling (the old fashioned way...notebook and pen)and thus the absence from blogging. Anyway, here I go with the latest.

Ben and Anna left yesterday to begin the Spring semester of their sophomore & junior year respectively. I really loved the Christmas break with them. It was such a perfect & wonderful month and a half with them. Ben was only home for 1/2 that time since he went to a wedding in Arkansas (he was a groomsman) and then to Oregon (to visit friends) but my time with him was still good & precious. I sure love him and the man he is becoming. He is not your Alpha type male and that is great. He is quite the contrary and I love that about him. I realize that this might be my last Christmas break with them in this leisurely, kicked back fashion. Next Christmas break will be busy with wedding preparation most probably (Anna told me that she & John Mark are wanting to get engaged and then get married the summer of 2011) as well as getting Ben graduated!! Wow! He plans on moving to Oregon and attending Multnomah Seminary in Portland, Oregon. My children are growing up. Something that brings me joy but also causes me to become melancholy.

My dad is with my sister in Amarillo. We are doing 1 1/2 month rotations at the time and it is working out well. Pray for us though because it is such a hard situation. The social worker says that it is not the best thing for my dad due to his growing dementia. The moving from place to place will cause him his dementia to advance more quickly. We are at wit's end about it because it is too difficult for only one of us to care for him full-time. Please pray for us.

Bobby is still very much in my life. A wonderful gift from God. His companionship helps me with the loneliness and the stresses of life. He brings much laughter and lightheartedness to my life. Something that I desperately need since I tend to be too serious and too deep in both feeling and emotion many times. Ben and Anna ask all the time when we will get married but we are just playing it by ear right now. There are other factors, such as my dad, that we have to consider at this point.

"Therefore the Lord is waiting to show you mercy and is rising up to show you compassion, for the Lord is a just God. Happy are all who wait patiently for Him."
Isaiah 30;18

"He goes before us, follows behind us and hems us safe inside the realm of His protection."
Beth Moore

"Rejoice in hope, patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer."
Romans 12:12

walking

2009-08-15T05:46:00.000-07:00

My devotional the first day back to school prompted me to pray for my principal. I also was led to pray about my attitude and that it be right regarding teaching, etc. I did not want to be sucked into the grumbling, discontent, being upset about large class sizes, and speaking ill about administration. God really helped me do that! I had a wonderful 2 days of working and my spirits stayed jubilant and content. I pray I can continue to be like this...to be sensitive regarding gossip, grumbling, and hearsay. Lord help me.

My devotional: "Jesus walks with you. Are you walking with Him? Do you fulfill God's purpose for your life? Do you seek a life of peace? Do you intend to be a Christian, not just in name, but in deed as well?"

"Whoever is not willing to carry the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who try to hold on to their lives will give up true life. Those who give up their lives for me will hold on to true life." Matt. 10:38-39 NCV

Best Ideas

2009-07-07T16:02:00.000-07:00

This week is my and my daughter's birthday (July 10) and we were both feeling a bit bummed. For me the reason was thinking that we would not get a summer vacation this year or go on any trips. For my daughter, it was because her boyfriend is working in Houston for 3 weeks. We therefore decided to celebrate **Birthday Week** and it's been the best idea for us! On Monday, we bought $30 pillows at JCPenney (on sale for buy one and get one for a $1) which we have wanted for a very, very loooong time! We felt so decadent!! lol. Today we are going to go watch "The Proposal". We can't wait!! Tomorrow, we are buying new makeup at Walmart (yippee!). Thursday, we plan on each buying one new top at JCPenney (I work there so I get a good discount). Friday's agenda is lunch with Anna's close friends. Saturday is our yearly tradition of going to Wonderland Park with all of my sisters and their families. This week of doing little and fun things lifts our spirits and feels like our mini-vacation. God is good and lifts our spirits in ways that are meaningful to us doesn't he?

My devotional yesterday was this... "Never yield to gloomy anticipation. Place your hope and confidence in God. He has no record of failure." -Chuck Swindoll

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be provided for you." -Matthew 6:34 HCSB

10 days straight

2009-06-25T05:18:00.000-07:00

Today is my last day of work prior to having 5 days off...yippee! Especially since I have worked 10 days straight. Praise God because I remember a month ago and I remember how distressed I was about work and possibly not having extra income for the summer. God is so good. The job at Penney's has been perfect for our situation (single parenthood). Anna has been great as well. Her help with her grandpa this past month has been immeasurable. It has worked out wonderfully.

I thank God because he has been impressing upon me to be a diligent and hard worker. I wanted to exemplify Christ in my work ethic. To not slack off, be lazy, or ignore tasks that need to be done. I want to be an asset as a worker. To be a good steward of my time at work ,etc. Even if this is a part-time job, what I do and how I work reflects my walk in God.

I thank God also for this week without my Father. He left Sunday to spend a few weeks with my sister in Amarillo. It has been such a reprieve and has given me time to regroup and rest from being a caregiver. It was soooo needed. He was excited to go as he has not spent time with my sister in Amarillo in some time. I am so thankful for his good outlook. It eases my heart.

"I have seen that there is nothing better than for a person to enjoy his activities, because that is his reward." - Ecclesiastes 3:22

Devotions

2009-06-16T18:18:00.000-07:00

My devotions this summer have been awesome. During the school year, I am at work by 7am so I don't get to lounge around the house but this summer it's been different. Having the mornings to do my devotions leisurely is something that's been so enjoyable. The first week of summer vacation was *bliss*! It was void of any activities and my Dad was staying at my sister Sylvia's house so the a.m. time proved so beneficial to me spiritually. The second week was VBS which didn't start until 9am every day so once again, the mornings were mine to enjoy! This week I started at JCPenney's and my work day doesn't begin until 10 am or 12 noon (depending on the shift I am working). I am so thankful for this because once again I am not losing my mornings! Isn't God good?

Here's a excerpt from today's devotion. It so blessed me.

"Did you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind? Because, when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that my Savior!" -Fanny Cosby

This quote by Fanny Cosby was pretty amazing I think. Seeing my Savior's face for the first time. Just plain awesome!

dilemma and worry

2009-05-31T10:55:00.000-07:00

So it's summer and it's very nice to not have to worry about grades, lesson plans, students in detention, etc, etc. Very nice. BUT (there is always a "but" in my world)I am now facing the dilemma of what to do job wise. As a single mom I have always worked during the summer. The extra income allows us to catch up on some bills and places us in a better position financially for the onset of the school year. My summer class at Borger High didn't make so I was disappointed. Now, I have to think about 3 options:

1. work at JcPenney where they only need me 2 days a week
2. work as a substitute teacher for summer school (days are sporadic and probably few)
3. work at Toot-n-Totum where they need someone from 2pm - 10pm every day.

Please pray with me regarding this. I want to do the right thing financially and for myself and for my family. I also am wondering if a combination of #1 and #2 would be enough? I keep hearing God tell me in the background (behind the worry and the stress that are clamoring for my attention), "Be at peace. I will be with you." What a loving God we have don't we? He understands our turmoil and anxiousness. I am so glad for that because I struggle with these emotions so very much...in so many areas of my life.

So I am listening to Jeremy Camp and eating fish sticks. The words of the song are nourishment to my soul.

Trust In You
Artist(Band):Jeremy Camp

When I can't see You I know You're there
When I can't feel You I will not fear
I will trust in You and I will not be afraid.
When the battle is close at hand
Though You're with me and help me stand
I will trust in You and I will not be afraid.

I will not be afraid
I will not be afraid
I will trust in you
I will trust in you
I will trust in you

When the darkness is close at hand
And I‘m running against the wind
I will trust in you and I will not be afraid.
When I'm standing upon that shore
All the battles I've gone before
I will trust in you, and I will not be afraid.

'Cuz I will not be afraid
I will not be afraid
I will trust in you
I will trust in you

My daughter

2009-05-15T15:55:00.001-07:00

*So my daughter wrote this on her Facebook and I just HAD to share it! Touched my heart!*

"So, today I was walking around campus at OBU and enjoying the beautiful weather. I love summer time and I love everything that I feel when summer time is around. I guess I never really thought about how much summer reminds me of my childhood. I think, even though I went through a lot as a kid, I had such a happy childhood. I've never met anyone as close to their whole family as I am. I don't just mean mom and siblings, I mean my WHOLE family. My cousins have and always will be my best friends. I will never forget the love my grandma bestowed on everyone she encountered. My crazy aunts who say everything they're thinking and while it drives me crazy I wouldn't change it. I am so lucky and I love how random things remind me of that happy time as a kid and remind me of how lucky I am now.
I'm a list maker- I make lists for everything- movies I want to watch, things I need to do, plans for the future and planning out every hour of my day (sometimes). So on that note I decided to make a list of everything that reminded me of my days as a kid especially during the summer time.

1. small, white, paint-chipped houses
2. sprinklers
3.tether ball
4. pull out beds
5. rusty junk in a backyard
6. old broken campers
7. cooling units
8. freeze pops
9. watermelon and cantaloupe
10. obstacle courses
11. daytime television
12. telenovelas
13. sewing rooms
14. gas stoves
15. moist basements
16. hide n go seek
17. school playgrounds
18. fresh made tortillas
19. being so hot you can't move
20. "ay chi wa was", "oy cacoy", "pobrecita"
21. the price is right
22. house coats
23. bird fountains and lawn ornaments
24. cedar chests
25.steep driveways
there's a lot more but those are just a few. I don't know what made me think of this but anyways.
Grandma, I miss you. Family, I love you."

10 years

2009-05-05T03:52:00.000-07:00

I went to my Borger ISD Appreciation Dinner last night. It profounded me to realize that I have been teaching 10 years now. Doing what you really love and what you feel is your "purpose" is such a great blessing. Other than motherhood, it's what I know deep within my heart that I was meant to do. Anyway, doing it for 10 years is a milestone for me since I have never done one job for that length of tim (other than motherhood). At the next milestone (20 years), I might be singing a different song but I hope not. Lol!

It's been a good spring for me. I have so enjoyed going to Breckyn's T-Ball games. Bobby coaches so it is fun to see the fun that they both have together. Grandfather and grandson...such a beautiful picture of family love. It is a blessing to have Sommer & Breckyn home until June. Pray for their future because Sommer's husband, Jeremy, will be ending his year contract in Port Arthur, Tx and they are looking for a job closer to home. Pray for God's will especially during this time of turbulent economical conditions.

It's also the end of the year and I am thankful that my year of serving as co-senior sponsor is coming to a close. My third year and it is the END! Yeah! It's a tough job (to coordinate between school & parents) but I am thankful that God got me through it. I hope to next year concentrate instead on forming a Spanish club and getting a trip to either Spain or Mexico together. That would be fun, I think.

A few more weeks and Ben & Anna come home. I can't wait!

2 Peter 1:3
His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

teaching

2009-04-30T20:03:00.000-07:00

At the end of the school year, it's common for teachers to feel burned out and "spent". That is how I felt today. After a full week of TAKS, the 3:40 pm bell rang and I sighed a deep sigh of exhaustion. The only problem was that I still had a full schedule ahead of me. I had a meeting with senior moms regarding prom, then home to check on my dad, and then on to the powder puff football game that was being sponsored by the seniors. I laid down for about 10 minutes and thought how I could get out of going to the powder puff game. After deep contemplation (10 minutes worth), I decided that I could not get out of it.

Well, as it turned out....it was an exquisite evening full of joy, laughter, and rejuvenation. Ain't that funny? The cool spring evening was perfect and it was pure bliss watching the students play flag football. It was equally hilarious joking around with the parents & students who came to watch!! We had a great turn out and made a lot of money for the senior class. I couldn't believe I had ever dreaded going!

50 Things

2009-04-27T16:18:00.000-07:00

50 (yes fifty!!) things you've never been asked....copy/paste & share!!

Once you've been tagged, you have to answer this and tag 15 people, including the person who tagged you.

1. What color is your toothbrush? I can't remember

2. Name one person who made you smile today? my spanish students!

3. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? been at work for 1 1/2 hours - getting ready to give TAKS test to 9th graders

4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? checking Becky's blogspot (I love it!)

5. What is your favorite candy bar? Snickers

6. Have you ever been to a strip club? oh my, no!

7. What is the last thing you said aloud? Read the above response

8. What is your favorite ice cream? Chocolate Chip Mint

9. What was the last thing you had to drink? sweet tea w/lemon

10, Do you like your wallet? yes, it's the Dave Ramsey Financial Peace one...love, love it!

11, What was the last thing you ate? leftover casserole (it was good)

12, Have you bought any new clothing items this week? no...it's been probably 1 year since I've bought clothing

13, The last sporting event you watched? Basketball with Bobby

14, What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? butter

15, Who is the last person you sent a text message to? Anna Banana (my daughter)

16, Ever go camping? does migrant farmworking count??

17, Do you take vitamins daily? Religiously

18, Do you go to church every Sunday? yes

19, Do you have a tan? I'm Hispanic so it's built in! ha!

20, Do you prefer Chinese food or pizza? Chinese

21, Do you drink your soda with a straw? nope

22."Where are you?" home but about to leave for a parent meeting at Borger High

23, What are you doing tomorrow? giving another TAKS test

25, Look to your left, what do you see? closet and LOTs of shoes

26, What color is your watch? Black leather

27, What do you think of when you hear Australia? Almost traveled there (I lived in the Philippines)

29, Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? depends, mostly drive thru

30. What is your favorite number? no fave number

31. Who's the last person you talked to on the phone? AT&T

32, Any plans today? going to parent meeting

33, How many states have you lived in? 15

34, Biggest annoyance right now? my dripping carport

35 Last song listened to? can't remember

36,Can you say the alphabet backwards? If I really try

37, Do you have a maid service clean your house? OF COURSE NOT!!

38, Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? heels

39, Are you jealous of anyone? no

40, Is anyone jealous of you? gosh, i hope not

41, Do you love anyone? yes lots of people

42. Do any of your friends have children? Yes

43, What do you usually do during the day? work

44, Do you hate anyone that you know right now? No

45, Do you use the word 'hello' daily? answering the phone, but in greeting people, I usually say "Howdy"

46, What color is your car? burgundy

47, Do you like cats? yes

48. Are you thinking about someone right now? always

49. Have you ever been to Six Flags? yes several times

50. How did you get your worst scar? the scars from 2 cesearean births

Sundays

2009-01-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

Today was such an enjoyable day with my Frank Phillips Adopted Students...Nancy and Brenda. I haven't spent extended time with them in a while (couple of weeks) so it was nice to have the time with them. I am so thankful for Bobby because he is the "cut up" and the "athletic" one so they really connect with him. I love that about him! I am the serious and quiet one so when it comes to hanging out I am not that much fun. Lol. Anyway, we (Bobby and I) had the girls over for Sunday lunch - Nancy was named player of the week so we wanted to celebrate. Carmela, another FPC student, got to come along too. MaKenzie, Anna and John Mark were there also of course. What fun we had!! Playing Wii (Rabid Rabbits rocks!) and having yummy food makes for a perfect Sunday!

So this week was a rough one. My sister and dad had conflict and I HATE, HATE, HATE conflict! I had to be the "mediator" and my dad has moved in with me so that my sister can have an long, extended vacation. She is the eldest and so very much deserves it!! She has been the one who has stayed in Borger and has always been the caretaker of my parents. She was the one who took them to doctor appts, watched out for them, etc. While the rest of us were out "living our lives" (in other parts of the world), she was here being the dutiful daughter. I admire her greatly. Well, then day 2 of my dad being with me, he accuses me of taking his wallet. He later finds it but the accusations just so upset me. I was very sad about the whole situation and my heart just so deeply missed my mom and not having her here. I know my dad also feels the same way. That makes it doubly tearful.

Now to mention my life group lesson. Have I mentioned how amazing it is and how it really ministers to me on a weekly basis? It was on Esther (the study is an in depth walk in the Old Testament). The last day said this...

What does the example of Esther say to you when you feel like giving up? When you feel like compromising your convictions? When you are opposed by people who hate you? When you are hindered by people who should be helping. Pray for God to give you a spirit of faithfulness that will enable you to keep on keeping on in obedience to God.

God just continually causes my jaw to drop open time after time.

By the way, Anna has been substitute teaching. She loves it too which just causes my heart to explode! She's got the teaching bug! She is teaching at the elementary level and tells me stories every evening about her students. The smaller kids are so adorable with their antics & sayings! One funny story is at the 2nd grade level. One little girl was telling another boy, "You know what? I have a horse and I have a goat and I have 2 cats and I have a dog and I have a hamster..." The boy responded, "Well, you know what? I have a 'wee wee'!!" Anna then sternly said, "WHO SAID THAT?" The boys hands automatically shot up to his head in anguish and shame and he walked shaking his head to her desk. By the time he got there, he was crying. She asked "What did you say?" He answered, "It came out before I could stop it!!" So funny and hilarious. She leaves for OBU on Thursday so I will miss her and her anecdotes of her subbing days.

Grand Jury & Such

2009-01-07T11:45:00.000-08:00

I just finished serving on the Grand Jury Commission. I love our country and I love the way our political process works. I know it seems messed up at times but it really is the best one out there. If you don't think so, go visit another country. I lived for 3 years in the Philippines and I was able to truly cherish our great country after this tour of duty (we were serving with the Air Force)! So I realize it's not 4th of July but this is my patriotic speech for the year.

For New Year's we went to Laura Arrington's New Year's party and it was a lot of fun. I have not danced since I was 14 years old in 8th grade. My sister, Sylvia, remembers my peach metallic dress that my mom made me for the dance. It was very "disco". ha! Anyway, Bobby taught me how to 2-step! I am still not very good but I must not be too embarrassing since he continued to dance with me. One of the songs was Garth Brooks, The Dance, which kind of made me sad because of my divorce. But you know what? After doing my Life Group lesson, I realized that the song really shouldn't make me sad but happy. The text for the study was the book of Ruth and the commentary said:

"Ruth may have been written to show that God is in control of history. God, the ruler over the universe, works in people's lives to bring about HIS will. He worked through the terrible famine Naomi and her family endured to bring them to Moab. God worked through Ruth's faith to bring Ruth and Boaz together. He worked through the union to provide David as the finest King Israel had. In God's ultimate plan, He worked through Ruth's descendents to provide an earthly step-father for His son, the Lord Jesus Christ."

This commentary blew my mind and reminded me that God WORKS THROUGH all of our life's journey to bring about the finest and most wonderful thing we could possibly imagine. For me the most wonderful and finest are: my kids, Bobby, the unity of my sisters, and my faith.

So I should really be grading papers now. The pile is on the coffee table waiting for me. I will procrastinate for a little while longer (finish watching Bobby Flay) and then tackle it! Lol.

My Joy Bucket

2008-12-27T12:59:00.000-08:00

As I was running this morning and it was lightly snowing, I thought I would burst with joy and peace that was filling my soul. Don't you love those moments? The snow and the run were just filling my "joy" bucket! Ha. Ha. Christmas was so wonderful and again, the older you get, the more you realize that it is not the gifts but the people. The first night that Ben & Anna came home from OBU, we were just lounging around watching tv and chatting away. They were going on & on about being excited for Christmas and I asked them, "Why? Because of the gifts?" They looked at me like I had a 3rd eye and said, "NO! Because we get to spend time with all of the 'familia' and it's always so much fun!" This comment exemplified Christmas for me!

I spent Christmas Eve with 4 of my sisters (minus one who lives in Georgia) and their families. Bobby was able to join us and this made it extra special. Sylvia, my eldest sister, had her boys there with their families (plus 2 new grand-babies!). It's awesome to see your nephews with families! Then Christmas Day, we traveled to my sister Dahlia's house in Amarillo and feasted on pork tenderloin for dinner. That evening, I was able to be with Bobby and all of his family as they had their Christmas celebration. Such a blessing as his four girls were all there and that was truly a joy for everyone!

Ben, Anna, and I have enjoyed our mornings during this Christmas holiday. It's so nice to not have a 'schedule' and to just lounge around, read, watch movies, and catch up with each other. We just watched "Horton Hears a Who" and were just rolling on the floor laughing. I thought to myself, "Who would have thought I'd be enjoying this type of movie with an 18 yr old and a 20 yr old?"

So, as I recall the earlier Questionnaire Blog & it's question about 4 things on my Wish List.... well, I have received 3 of the 4. The massage is still "out there". But after the rest and relaxation that I have been experiencing these last 6 days, I don't much need the massage anymore....no stress here!!! Now, talk to me in a few weeks, after school is back in session and then I might be telling a different story! Well, let's not think about that now - ha! I will end this blog by saying that I am going to go finish my novel, "The Bonesetter's Daughter" by Amy Tan (awesome read!). Ben is downstairs reading his 3rd book of the 3 book set from, "The Giver". Anna and John Mark (her bf) are working on a 550 piece puzzle that they are almost done with!!

I got tagged!

2008-12-18T18:21:00.001-08:00

Rules:
1. Post rules on your blog.
2. Answer the six "4" items.
3. Let each person know they have been tagged by leaving them a comment.

4 Things I Did Yesterday:
Had 3 Classroom Christmas Parties (3 more to go!! yikes!)
Watched tv show "Eli Stone" with Bobby and his parents
Had homemade peach pie that Bobby made (he's a baker...who would've thunk?)
Made 2 dozen Rugelach Cookies for Borger High Christmas Goodie Day

4 Things On My Wish List:
a massage (I am right there with you Holly!)
to thoroughly enjoy the Christmas break with my kids, Ben and Anna
to thoroughly REST during my Christmas break
to do lots & lots of reading during Christmas break

4 Things I Look Forward to:
the 14 exquisite days off that I am fixing to start beginning tomorrow at 12:30 pm!
Christmas and it's true meaning
Grandkids someday
Heaven

4 Restaurants I like: P
Cheddar's
Kabuki's
Tacos Garcia
Coffee Ranch

4 Favorite TV Shows:
Eli Stone
Jon & Kate Plus Eight
Naked Archealogist
Law & Order

4 People I Tag (You're it): only one...Kaci Lusk!!

I got tagged!

2008-12-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

Is it 4:30 am????

2008-12-12T03:42:00.000-08:00

Yes,I got up at 4:30 am this morning! Egad! It's funny though because my dad has been with me the last week and a half and I guess I am used to getting up with him. He left last night to go back to my sister's which is where he is at permanently. It's sad but I kind of miss him. I miss fixing him his oatmeal and visiting with him after my a.m. run and before going off to work. I will also miss the TV being parked on the old westerns on AMC and sitting and watching them with him. I miss him telling me to "bundle up and to check my tires in my car and to drive safely". What a lovable dad. When you lose your mom, you cherish the time with the other parent. Now, if he lived with me permanently, I might say otherwise! Lol.

I spent all of last night reading! I have not done that in forever! I came home and took my dad to my sister's and then read from 6pm - 10pm! It is a great book, "The Last Sin Eater". I loved, loved, loved it! The writing style is similar to Katherine Paterson (Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved, etc). Anyway, it has an awesome message and very well written. Read it if you get the chance!

Anna and Ben are almost set to substitute teach. Yeah! I am so proud of them. They come home next Thursday'ish. Can't wait. They will be home for 6 weeks on & off (between visiting their dad in Oklahoma). It will be nice to have them home again. The next semester at OBU doesn't start until Jan. 29th! I asked them if they were willing to substitute teach at the high school level (for me!) and they said, "NO WAY!" ha. ha.

I am so thankful that next week is the last week of school. It has gone by fast and for that I am thankful. I am also thankful that the semester does not end next week. We, teachers, are usually going crazy giving semester exams, grading exams, turning in grades, getting semester grades finalized, getting kids' to turn in make up work, etc, etc, etc. It makes the last week before Xmas most *CRAZY*. Thank God that it won't be this way this Christmas. I might even end up working just a 40 hour work week next week in comparison to my normal 50-55 hour week....wow! If I do, it will be the first time!

So now it is 6 am and I guess I can go on my a.m. run and then go to work. Don't try getting a hold of me tonight though because I will be snoozing away at 7 pm probably!!!!!

A day in the life of ME

2008-11-18T18:05:00.000-08:00

So this morning, I was working away in my classroom and a fellow teacher comes in and says, "Did you know your tire on your car is really low?" I gasped and said, "Oh no. Will it be okay until the end of the day?" He said it would be okay. Then at lunch, another teacher comes and says, "Your tire on your car is COMPLETELY flat!" I again gasped and ran out to the parking lot. Thankfully the gas station is less than a block away and I was able to air it up. This is on top of a teacher coming in to say, "Elizabeth, you did remember that you were speaking to my classes today about growing up as a migrant farmworker, right?" Then the vice principal comes in and says, "Elizabeth, you did remember that I am coming in to observe your classes today right?"

This is a day in the life of ME! So typical of my life. Lol!

Truthfully, Becky Dietz' blog site challenged us to tell what we were thankful for. Thanks Becky because it is something to slow down for and to think about. I am thankful, of course, for my children Ben & Anna. With the "cards stacked against us" as a single parent family and a broken home family, God put us back together and made us a beautiful family again. That blows my mind! I am thankful for a job that I love even on crazy, hectic days. I am thankful that Bobby Forrest and his family are so precious to me. I had so much hesitancy with dating and was so apprehensive with the "issues" that surround all ofthat but have realized that they have been pale in comparison to the blessings and I know that is because God is involved! It is still difficult but God is so good and shows up time & time again. I am thankful for my sister, Sylvia, who is such a great sister. We are as different as night & day but we love each other and "get" one another. I also am thankful to my Wednesday Lunch pals, Debbie Chowins & Margaret Vance. It's so nice to have close friends to be real with and to share & understand what life with college children is like. To pray with one another and to fully bear one another's burdens. What a beautiful picture of Christ.

So be thankful no matter what. Praise God in the dark and in the light.

autumn

2008-11-03T15:03:00.000-08:00

It's such a beautiful time of year don't you think? I am so thankful to God for the fall and the crisp weather we have been having in the mornings. I am a runner so the early mornings have been so spectacular for me to run and have my quiet time. I love the whole ambience of God's handiwork. It just blows my mind.

I am also thankful for the work that God is doing in my school year this year. It's been a challenging year with very large classes but you know what? The more I have taken this to God in prayer (pretty much I have tackled it like a prayer warrior), the more I see Him working so mightily! He is just making those large classes be a ministry to me and He is showing me how they truly are enjoyable. If you have ever taught school and have had large, challenging classes then you realize what an answer to prayer this is! I love my students in those classes (as well as the other classes of course) and the relationships that are being built is such a testament to God's hand. I will never understand how He can be so kind and tenderhearted to answer the lowly prayer requests of his children. But He does. And for that I give Him praise.

My children will be home in a few weeks...home from college. I am so thankful that BOTH of them will be home for the FULL week of Thanksgiving. Woo Hoo!!!!! Ben did not get to come home for fall break in October so I am especially happy to see my son again. Having both of them home together is a treasured gift. I always look at families with younger children and I think how fast the years go and I realize that I really covet the times with my two young s. (ha...sounds wierd to call them that!) We get eachother's jokes, understand one another's biases, we finish eachother's thoughts, have similar tastes in music & movies....the list goes on. Family is GREAT!!

Well, it's time for life group. Another BIG praise! If you are not involved in a life group. I highly recommend it. It's been such an awesome blessing in my life. To dig deep in God's word, to share your innermost struggles, thoughts & questions, and to have a true sense of "spiritual family" is just another way that i feel like we grow as Christians. We are starting a study on the Old Testament and believe you me! It's pretty deep & "meaty". I feel like I am back in a seminary class which I attended a few back when Ben & Anna's dad was in seminary in Kansas City.

Well, be blessed and see you soon.

Long time no see...

2008-10-16T15:47:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile (2 months) since I have been online! I feel good in saying that I really have not missed it but it's something that I do enjoy. The reason I haven't been online is that my home computer has been.....ZERO. My kids, Ben and Anna, have laptops so they are now home for fall break (correction: Anna is home whereas Ben went on a road trip with dorm friends to Arkansas).

So many ask me, "How are you doing without the kids at home? How is empty nesting?" I have always been fearful of this phase of my life especially since I am a single mom and I have investing 110% into my children. It's been a fear of mine that I will be alone and lonely. God is so, so good. He is so sensitive to the needs of this child of his named Elizabeth. I can picture his loving heart and warm hands as he "takes care of me" at this time of my life. What a wonderful Father we have!

So, guess what? Life is WONDERFUL!! Having a home to come home to that is clean all the time, no dirty dishes, as well as having no particular schedule is like being a teenager again. Having Bobby in my life is also a blessing. His companionship and love is the silver lining.

"Now on whom dost thou trust?" -II Kings 18:20

Beautiful Rain

2008-08-14T17:57:00.001-07:00

It's raining and it's downright beautiful. It reminds me for some weird reason of when we lived in the Philippines. We were in the Air Force and were stationed there for 3 years. We only had 2 seasons....hot season and rainy season. This is what rainy season was like....raining buckets. It makes me think how God uses times of isolation to grow and strengthen you because those years were so awesome! No tv, phone, car, etc. We had Ben during that time and I got to spend a precious hassle free year with him. It is what solidified my desire to be a stay-at-home mom.

So, guess what? I am slated to run a 5k Midnight Run tomorrow. Did I mention MIDNIGHT? Yep, you heard right! I ran my first 5k last fall (Susan B Komen 5k) and have become addicted. In case you don't know, I love running!! Yes, it's sickening. I have NEVER been athletic. I am a 100% egghead so sports and being kinesthetic has never appealed to me. Well, running doesn't take coordination (put on foot in front of the other...I can handle that!). Running doesn't involve winning or losing. Running doesn't involve others so you have no guilt about not performing well or disappointing others. Running doesn't care if you have the "latest" sports outfit (especially at 5:30 a.m. which is when i run and NO ONE can see that I have an orange tshirt, blue shorts, sleep in my eyes, and hair in a haphazard ponytail!). I am excited and will let you know how it goes.

Here's a scripture I wrote down in my journal today. With my "empty nest" jitters, etc. I felt like God was lovingly whispering this to me. Just gave me goose bumps!

"Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know." jeremiah 33:3

I think God has great things in store for me!! In fact I *KNOW* He does!!

sunday lunch

2008-08-10T19:31:00.000-07:00

So today I got to fix Sunday lunch for Ben, Anna, John Mark, and Bobby. Just the small group of us but God is so, so, so good because it was such a gift to my heart. Laughing, conversing, and discussing various topics . Sweet times together. Yes, I am in a melancholy and reminiscent mood. Knowing that Ben and Anna will only be home this week is what causes me to feel this way. But also that God shows himself to us in so many ways and blesses us with wonderful relationships and shows that he is the God that redeems also causes me deep joy. Happiness, fulfillment, and sense of purpose despite heartache and sadness (divorce).

So, this weekend was great. With school beginning this week, for teachers, this past weekend was my last "hurrah". Went to see Texas (drama in Palo Duro Canyon) on Thursday night with Bobby's family which was so enjoyable. Then on Friday, Bobby was off so we spent the day hiking in Palo Duro Canyon. If you haven't done this...I highly recommend it! Pure awesomeness!!! Yesterday, I went shopping for a new car (with my 2 kiddos taking the only reliable cars I own to college...I will be in dire straits!). I fell in love with a 2005 Nissan Altima. We shall see if this works out or not.

I also went to a workshop this past Monday in Levelland/Lubbock. It was geared toward Foreign Language teachers which you don't find very often. The other 2 Spanish teachers that I went with were crazily *FUN*. I haven't laughed so much in a very long time! The workshop itself was 100% excellent and we all left totally rejuvenated, full of ideas, and on fire to teach another academic year! What more could you ask from a workshop?

So maybe I should name this blog "happiness" or "thankfulness" or something like that? Whatever the name, I will end with a quote from my 1 movie of all time (1940's movie, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn) which is also a Bible verse........... "My cup runneth over..."

End of Summer

2008-07-24T18:57:00.000-07:00

It's close to the end of summer and it's such a great time for me. Anna and I returned from San Antonio and it was just a fabulous time of relaxation and enjoyment. I really praise God for this time away as well as these days not having to teach. After a stressful month of June, these days without work have been like heaven! I spoke to another teacher in my department today and we spoke about this time of "rejuvenation" that keeps us sane and keeps our passion alive.

I was able to cook for the Toppers tonight and it was a blessing for Anna and I to take the meal over to them. Also today, I was able to clean out my closet and being the clean-freak that I am..this act alone made me feel "over the moon". Lol. :-)

I came across 2 quilt tops that my mom made. It touched my heart to find them. My sisters and I grew up quilting with my mom during the summers that we worked as migrant farmworkers in Wyoming & Washington. I am planning on using these next few weeks of summer to quilt these tops. I am thankful to God for this project. It will help me connect with my mom and it feels good in my spirit.

Summer School

2008-06-26T15:55:00.000-07:00

So today was the last day of teaching summer school. It's been quite an eventful undertaking for me. It was a test of my fortitude most definitely. Teaching 9+ hours every day with only 30 minutes for lunch has proved to be difficult. One of my friends told me how teaching is different from other jobs because it expends your intellect, emotions, etc. This is so true. When you are teaching, you always have to be "on". This coupled with the fact that I was trying to continually come up with exciting ways to teach and engage the students especially since they too became weary of studying spanish for 9+ hours! Bless their hearts! I have really loved my students. Only 8 which is such a great thing! I have enjoyed getting to know them and connect with them. It makes me realize why i love teaching.

I want to say thank you to my dear friend, Debbie because she proved to be my weekly brightener with our "Coffee Ranch" get togethers. Love her! I also love my daughter because she has been SUPER patient with her cranky mother. Love her mucho-mucho!

Now that summer school is over, I can look forward to taking some days to go on a vacation to San Antonio! Woo hoo! A vacation? What is that? Haven't had one of those for 6 years!

For tomorrow, I plan to enjoy a day with Bobby. What a nice way to end the week. We are going to attend the War concert. I grew up listening to early Christian Contemporary Music whereas he grew up listening to 70's rock. What a study in contrasts, huh? LOL. Anyway, he is exposing me to this genre of music and it's been fun!

Here I go...

2008-06-25T07:56:00.000-07:00

25 de junio

So my son told me about his blog spot and I loved it! Then my daughter shared hers with me. I became curious & interested especially since I have journaled since I was 13 years old. I am 43 yrs old now so my piles of journals are numerous! Therefore, blogging seems right up my alley!!

I am a single mom with a son and daughter who are both students at Oklahoma Baptist University. I teach Spanish at the high school level and it is my passion. It is just like my mom used to always say, "God created you to teach.". I agree.