Alabama

I went to my cousin Nick's graduation from high school a couple of weeks ago. This was my first trip alone in a long time. I flew out on Friday night and came back to Dallas on Tuesday morning. It was so nice to be with family, although I really missed my hubs and girls!
Here's some highlights...

Friday. I threw up before the plane and on the plane both (thank you Dad for my "motion sick" genes, screamed as the planes descended (thank you nasty ear infection) while curled up in a ball shaking. I just love flying!
Cindy picked me up. I always LOVE seeing her! We headed home and picked up Kaitlin a little later. Nick was out and about as most seniors are. K and I enjoyed some fries and grilled cheese for a late night snack.

Saturday. Slept ALOT while trying to get over the sinus infection. Mamaw and Poppy arrived in time for dinner. We watched Gladiator! LOVE THAT!

Sunday. Church at FBC Tillman's Corner. AWESOME! We watched Nick be presented to the church and then had a lunch at the church to celebrate.
I just need to put a plug here. Nick is a one of a kind guy. He loves the Lord like I have never seen in a kid. Nick is an encourager to those around him. I loved watching the other kids flock around him. His personality is contagious! He is hilarious! He is loving and kind. He also is an awesome worship leader! You know when you watch someone lead, you can just see the Spirit in them. That's Nick. Jesus is bursting from within him. Ok, I'll stop for now. :)
Sunday night. We got to watch Kaitlin perform in her end of year choir musical! She rocks!!! She has the greatest sense of humor EVER! I love that is a quiet force. K is gentle yet strong. She is the ultimate friend! I hope my girls learn a thing or two from her! She is the definition of leading by action not just by words!

Monday. Oh Monday. We took K to school for a couple of exams. Then, C and I did some grocery shopping. We ate lunch and then got ready for graduation. Nick had left about 30 mins before us for graduation. As were about to leave, he called. He had been in a wreck. Can I just say how proud I was of Cindy, John and Nick! They were all so calm. Nick was ok but the Xterra was no more. Another kid had pulled out in front him and Nick did the best to avoid him but just couldn't. I want to give glory to the Lord. This could have been a really nasty accident but the Lord orchestrated his will and we could not be more grateful! Thank you Holy Spirit for guiding Nick's hand. Thank you that he walks with you!

Me, Cindy, John, Aunt Sue, Kaitlin, Mamaw and Poppy, and of course Nick. We all stood at the wreck until the officers let Nick go. K and I cleaned out his car and saved the beautiful graduation cap and gown. :)

We made it 3 mins before N had to walk in. God is good!

I was SO proud for him to walk across the stage!!!! What a mess am I? I blame all the emotions on motherhood. It's made me a tear factory!!

We had a lovely dinner afterwards at Friday's with some of his friends. K and I got to share a table, some artichoke dip and chicken fingers...YUM!

Tuesday...C took me to the airport at the crack of dawn. We both cried. Nothing new there with us. :)

Tuesday am...J picked me up and drove me straight to work.

The End.
Enjoy some pictures...

17

It's 5:15pm and I am about to head home. I feel like I have a million things to do still at school but I need to go home and feed the family.
17 days people,17 stinkin days!

Mother's Day

Excuse the randomness of the post.

Over the last few months, the Lord has been pulling me through a transition of the heart. I have always wanted to be home but I have never been so broken over that longing. My heart is ready. It has hit me that I have no idea what to do when I stay at home.
I know how to go to work every day. I know how to teach school with excellence and prepare a group of children to read and write. I know how to be a working mom and balance life.

I have no idea how to be a stay at home mom. How do I maintain my home, maintain my children, maintain my husband. Is there like a manual or something?
I believe fully that the Lord will equip me for what He has called me to. Just some fears coming out.

A couple of weeks ago, our friend Chuck Pope was showing us some pictures of his trip to Israel. I was admiring this gorgeous shot he got of the Eastern Gate in Jerusalem. After hearing this, Jared took this information, had it blown up and framed in this beautiful piece for our living room. This was my gift for Mother's Day from the girls. I will try to put it up here soon.

We got some friends together for a Mother's Day art night. So fun! We sat around the kitchen table at our house, painted and shared a meal. The kids painted the canvas, the moms wrote the verses and the kids signed their names and added their hand prints. Hopefully, I can put some pictures of it up too! We chose Proverbs 31:28. Her children arise and call her blessed.

I have a post for my Mom coming later...:)

All in all. I love this day.

Do It Yourself

I am a do-it-yourself-er. If there is a job to be done, I more than likely will attempt to do it myself. This mainly streams from my desire to be "budget friendly", but sometimes it turns to bit me in the tail.

I have always cut Jared and the girls' hair myself and done a fairly good job if I can say so. Well, the day before Easter, Jared was complaining that he needed a trim, so I obliged. I trimmed his hair and then both girls, then I got brave. I decided to give myself a little trim too. Can I just say that trying to cut hair that you cannot see is not the brightest idea. It wasn't awful but it was definitely not even. For the next couple of weeks, I just wore it anyway but down.

I ended up going to the salon and getting it cut by a lady who I will kindly call "cat woman" for now. She trimmed up the ends as she scolded me for trying to do her job. Then, she proceeded to give me five different "cut, dry & fix" looks. I was finally satisfied with the outcome.

The hair is now about 7 inches shorter and back to the original "Katie Holmes" bob that I so love.

On another note, last night I decided that the dog needed a hair cut too. I got Jared electric razor from the cabinet (Sorry J, love you.) and began to cut away. I first tried the #6 then #4, then we just moved to no guard at all. After the first strip of thick, matted, dirty, bug invested hair was on my lap, I realized this job was much bigger than I had assumed.

1.5 hours later...dog is shaved to the bone. Except the neck/face and 1/2 the legs. I just couldn't get those for some reason. Anyways, Lily feels great and also like a Suave Watermelon flavored treat!

Jared was bit taken back to find the "new" dog asleep in the pack n play with me in the house. I just couldn't put her back outside after the shave and shower.

All this to say, I totally recommend do it yourself haircuts, maybe just not on yourself.

Happy May Day!