Ramblings of a Work in Progress...

So of course it has been forever since I have posted a blog, but my friends and family, much of you know the ups and downs of this past month. Right now I am lucky that my head is on straight...I am a work in progress. I am so thankful to have all of you in my life...now...to focus on the ups of this last month...here we go:

 SLEEP! I have been so sleepy and I have been able to enjoy a Sunday afternoon nap quite a few times which has been lovely! Work has been exhausting so I take pleasure in the little things!

One of the best ups this month was our weekend getaway to Dallas! Matt called me up Friday afternoon about 2:30 and said, "Want to go to Dallas?" I said, "Yep." And off we went...here is our journey:

 We stayed in the Sheraton by the Galleria...it was really nice.

 Saturday Morning we slept in and then went on over to the Galleria for a bit...had some Jamba Juice...it was a great start to our day!

 We had a snack at Auntie Anne's and then window shopped the rest of the afternoon. We were able to head to REI after our Galleria Trip and that was successful. Matt bought him some new sunglasses and then we headed back to the hotel for some relaxing naps and then met up with a dear friend, Dustin, whom we haven't seen in ages! After that, we went to one of the best restaurants in a while....

 They had the most delicious pizza! We were stuffed by the time we left! But before we headed on back we got to meet up with another dear friend, Dan. He and his brother took us to Jake's...hands down the best burgers! Overall trip=success!!! Our trip back to Beaumont was bittersweet...and this was our view...

Notice the separation in the clouds? I think it is a little telling of our ride back home...God is wonderful in that way...reminding us that we are going to be okay and that we have a lot to look forward to from this point on...we love all of our friends here dearly but we are looking forward to the road ahead. Somethings must come to an end and I guess it is our time at Westgate and Beaumont. Thank you God for all the relationships we have made along this journey...

Wearing a Stranger's Shoes...

Today was one of those days. The kind where no matter which side of the bed you wake up on, its the wrong one. My day started off with trying to get a whole room full of laundry done....a daunting task in my opinion...but it had to get done. I got extremely irritated because I left my phone charger at school Friday and my phone is dead. I can't get a hold of Matt to find out where he is because usually after the Men's Prayer breakfast he comes right home..which is usually about 10:00.  It was now 1:00, I had no idea what was going on and I had to leave to get my oil changed. I get to the dealership and while the guy is getting the paperwork for me to sign asks me if he made a good decision on a trade. I thought to myself...you are the car guy..you tell me. (too much sarcasm sometimes come to my detriment) I smiled and played along and agreed that he made a good decision. Then I get directed to the waiting room. I get annoyed because the only thing to read is a bunch of deer hunting magazines and Oprah...both which are no interest to me. I waited impatiently as it took an hour and a half to get my car back. I finally get it back and then look over it to see if I can find any imperfections after they cleaned my car...and think to myself how bad the cleaning stuff stinks. Then I grumbled to myself when I got in and my knees are hugging the dash. I turn on my radio and go on my way. I get stopped by a red light... and roll my eyes...go figure. I don't normally look at the cars to my left or right because frankly i think it's kind of creepy, but today I look to my left. I see this sweet little lady. She has her make up done beautifully, nails done to perfection, and a smile across her face...i look up to see the few sprigs of hair she has left on her head. So many emotions flooded through me for so many different reasons. I wonder what she is thinking. What she has been through. What she is going to go through. How her family feels. How she feels. I wonder what her story is. I wonder what is behind that smile. I cried for that woman today. And felt stupid...for good reason.  I don't know what that woman's story is or what she was going through but God really opened my eyes today and broke my heart. I needed that. Thank you God for showing me that my problems are far less than others....and often petty. What a lesson I learned today! If nothing else...I wanted to share this so remind all of you to count your blessings and check your attitude. We all have "those" days...but really...you choose how you are going to react to situations...choose to find good in everything and everyone.

New Beginnings...or Something Like That.

Sorry for the delay!

 Well, Goodbye 2010! Of course you can't say goodbye without giving the Tops List...so here is ours:

 Yep, Grace is gone...such a bittersweet time for me. I am so blessed to have had both dream cars of mine. Had some great times in that car but it's time to make new memories in the XTerra...name has yet to be determined...I need to drive her a little more before I give her a good name.

 Did my first girls retreat and it was a blast! Could not have done it without my dear friend Kyleigh. I am so thankful for this girl! She is one of those friends you keep for life! Aren't I super lucky? I think so!

Got through my first year of teaching! It was a roller coaster, but God really had a hand in it! Had to leave that job because of enrollment, but gained another one for the same reason! So thank God for that!

 We celebrated 6 years! Wow! Time flies.

 I sewed my first dresses for my nieces! I am so proud of them, I've only had my sewing machine for 4 years now.

 Got to spend more time with Graden, our nephew. He has grown up so much and we heard our names for the first time this year from him! Adorable! We love being an Uncle and Aunt!

 We also met our nieces for the first time! As you can see, Addison found her a buddy!

 And Uncle Matt soaked it all in!

 This is my little Jammers! Her name is Jaidra.

 And this is Addison...also known as Addie Mae!

WE HAD A WHITE CHRISTMAS!! I can't tell you the last time I had a white Christmas! We took full advantage of it! We decided to take the hood of one of the farm trucks and hook it up to the truck and go for a ride! BOY WAS IT COLD!!! BRRRRR!!!

 Papa brought Meg out, and he had to check on us! I love him!

Yes, it was so cold that the ice was freezing to his beard!

 (Don't mind the Michelin Man on the right.)

 You should have seen me walk in all those clothes! haha! I couldn't hardly move...I am surprised that I was able to get my hand to my face! The snow hit so fast and it was so cold I literally lost my breath! It was painful...but it sure was fun!

Apparently I was tired! I took a 4 hour nap!

 We had a great Christmas in Kentucky!

 Now it's time for Arkansas...

 Daniel finally got his John Deere blanket!! He was so excited! Mom had been promising him that for YEARS! Love it!

 We had a great time in Arkansas! I played cards with my family and Matt kicked back with my Dad and read books and watched movies...a pretty relaxing time!

 After all the great things in 2010, God granted us another blessing! My sister found out she's having a baby girl!!! (which I have already nicknamed Brookie!)

 I am so thankful for all the many blessing 2010 had within it! We have such a great set of family and friends! We could not ask for better...

And 2011 is already promising some great blessings:

THE Ohio State beat Arkansas!!!

(in the craziest game ever!)

WE love you all and are looking forward to what this year has to bring. There is going to be a lot of change this year for us with job changes and selling the house and making decisions on what our next step will be, so keep us in your prayers! I will keep you updated though! So keep checking in!