Need a Laugh? At anothers expense?

Today I'm sharing what may be my favorite picture of all time.  And I'm sharing it with great risks to my well-being...just remember it's all in good humor.  I laugh so hard every time I see this picture!

Want a closer look?

     That's my mom in the coral colored dress, the one with the drawn up hands and the wicked lookin face.  She doesn't normally look that way.  The story goes that a major storm was brewing.  She was frantically handing out bird seed, hoping to get us in the vehicle before it hit.  She was honestly trying to make my day perfect.  She had her back towards us...next thing she knew everyone was cheering as we were running.  She was unexpectedly right in our moment.  Love!
  And now I'm in sooo much trouble...it's better to ask forgiveness than permission, right?

Mothers Day Eve

     Saturday Evening my family came over for a Mother's Day Dinner.  Josh and Misty were still having Kidney stone woes, and Kiah had to work but everyone else was able to come. 

     I love how I caught Punky looking so natural in the following two pictures. 

     Even Jess was able to come.  It was the first time she'd been to my house.

    I had to snap a picture of my fresh flowers that my neighbor brought over.  We have the best neighbor ever!   I was tickled to have these.

Happy Mothers Day

I'm so glad to have a great mom and to still have her with me. 

Momma Love

I'm dreaming of a white Thursday...and other random things

• Some times bulleted posts are fun!

• It looks like we might get a lil snow Thursday. I'm ecstatic! Is it wrong to be wanting a day off after only 2 days back?

• Speaking of going back...it's going really well....Would it be cursing myself to comment on how much I feel like my kids have matured?

• The problem with teaching Mass and Matter to 7 and 8 year olds: Matter is anything that takes up space and has mass. Mass is how much matter is in an object. So basically you can't understand what matter is unless you know what mass is; you can't understand mass unless you know what matter is?!?!?!?! You following me? My kids aren't.

• They are also struggling with solids and liquids...which is something unbelievably easy for most people.

• This is a long week....morning and evening bus duty everyday, afterschool classes on Monday, Faculty meeting and church on Wednesday, and ballgame duty on Thursday....does anyone know a snow dance?

• A parent texted me last night (picture text) of her child's math homework...they couldn't figure it out.
  

• I just finished my fourth book in the last few weeks.

• Last but certainly not least....I'm so so thankful for mom's great report! I'm right there with her; every time I think of God's goodness in this situation I lose it! Thanks to everyone who prayed! Love ya, Momma!

Aren't we cute, in our gray?

Visiting Mom

I updated her blog, check it out if you are interested.

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Mom!

A few days ago I couldn't have told you how old she was. It's something that when mentioned is lied about! Tuesday as I was pretending to be her (complete with forged signature) to pick up her prescription, the cashier wanted to know my birthday. Yikes! I had no clue how old she was to quickly (well as quickly as my bad mental math skills would let me) figure what year she was born. The friendly cashier seen my frantic worried brow and told me when "I" was born. She was cracking up, as I was figuring out how many years had passed between that wonderful day and now. Wow, Mom, I had no idea!

What to say about mom? Wow, the last few months have been C.R.A.Z.Y! And she has some hard days ahead of her. But she's been amazing! Theres so much I could say.

I love you bunches Mom.

P.S. I should be your favorite because I'm sure Josh didn't remember your birthday!

VBS Pictures

We made it back from the meeting in McDonald, TN. It was so good. We got home about 12:30 am on Friday night.

I took the dreaded Pre-k test on Saturday. I'm not sure if I passed or not. I should know in four weeks. If I passed, I'll let you know....if I didn't, the subject won't be mentioned again. Teachers, always tell you to get a good night of rest before a test. They are right! It makes a difference! I was falling asleep during some of it.

Mom had her first radiation treatment today. They get you in and out of there quick! If only every appointment was that fast. I'm sad she's having to go through this but I see the hand on God on the situation. He already knew the outcome before we even knew she had cancer!

Bible school started tonight. Teenage girls are intimidating. It went well...I think.

I'll leave you with decoration pictures.

The auditorium

The days of creation (in reverse order)

The Gift of friends

I’ve been meaning to blog about my “precious gift” for a long time. (My holdup has been that I forgot to take a picture. What’s a post without a picture? This story would be so much better if I had a picture. I’ll try my best to paint a great mental picture.)

I have always felt like God put me into my teaching position. I had prayed (and prayed and prayed). And had almost given up hope when it came around. A few well-meaning people have suggested teaching at one of the local Christian schools in our area. While my life is totally arranged around my faith and it is who I am and teaching in a school of like-faith would be encouraging and pleasant…I can’t get away from the fact that God has put me where he wants me. There is a peace about it that I treasure. I’ve heard my pastor say many times that you are better off in God’s will in a wild jungle then out of his will sitting in your home in the great US of A (that’s paraphrasing).

The biggest benefit from my job has been the friends I’ve made that I otherwise would have never known. God has given me some life-long Christian teacher friends at my school. I want them to know I much I appreciate them and their friendship. On the last day of school they called me into my room. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. There was a big gift bag on the table. It was packed full of all kinds of goodies. (This is the part where I wished I took a picture). They had bought these for me to take with me when mom had her surgery. There were several packs of muffins, gum, candy, snack mix, candy bars (they know my love of chocolate), chapstick, magazines, books, paper tablets, pens, and much much more that I’m sure I’m forgetting.

There was also a card with money to help with traveling expenses and a hotel while in Nashville. This is the part that humbles me the most. All three of these ladies are at stages in their life where they need this money for them and their families. Their sacrifices touched me deeper than they will ever know.

More than these material items is the simple concern they show. Whenever I talk to any of them, the first thing that they ask about is mom. They know this is a huge burden on my heart right now. They always offer to do anything they can and express their prayers.

Friends, Thank you doesn’t seem like enough. I don’t deserve friends like you. I hope one day the Lord allows me to repay you. But for now…Thanks

P.S.The chocolate muffins were especially yummy!

Vote for Mom

The Mothers Day of a Lifetime Contest is on. Click here to vote. Or you can go to Star1021fm.com and find it there under contests. Mom's letter is #5. Tell all your friends, family and co-workers. I'll be sending an email later tonight when I have more time.

I read through all the letters and they are all good. Sounds like all these women are deserving. Of course I want mom to win. Knowing her and her circumstances the last month makes me want her to win just alittle bit more than the others. However if she doesn't this was still fun.

I do have one complaint....it was suppose to be a 100 word essay. Some are way longer. I could have said so much more if I had had more opportunity!

If you don't know about mom, read her story here.

Any one up for Vegas?

I know as Christians we don't believe in luck. But I'm really starting to feel lucky! I'm on a roll with winning things.

It started with Family night. Remember the egg dyeing? Before we began there was a PTO meeting. At every PTO meeting they have a drawing for a teacher and parent winner. Guess who was the teacher winner...Yep, a $25 walmart gift card.

Next came the teacher bobcat buck drawing. I won it last Friday. I haven't claimed my prize yet but I hear it's usually a gift card to a restaurant.

Now for the winning I'm most excited about! Actually I haven't won yet, but am in the top 10 now. A few weeks ago I was listening to talk radio (100.3) and heard the contest "A Mother's Day of a Lifetime" announced. So I went online and wrote a 100 word paragraph about why my mom is great. During church tonight I received a voicemail that out of over 200 entries, They were choosing 10 and my was one of the top ten. Monday these 10 entries will be posted online for people to vote for the best. They will narrow these to 3 and read these on the radio. They will pick the winner from these. So come Monday I'll be calling on all my BFF's, relatives, friends, co-workers, church members, and strangers to help us vote. If you know my mom, and the circumstances she's faced in the last month you will know she's very deserving. Oh the prizes...a teeth whitening (a $700 value), a five stone mothers day pendent and chain, three oil changes, 3 hours of legal assistance, five bottles of wine (mom is so not a drinker), the dress of her choice, a facial, manicure, pedicure, and massage.

One thing that may be a small problem....if she wins they will call her on Friday to speak on the radio. After surgery, her voice is really altered and she can be hard to understand. She may need a translator.

So tune in Monday....

Evening at Mom's

We went up to see mom tonight. She is in so much pain...it breaks my heart. I hate seeing her like that. Please pray for her mouth to heal.

I took this morning picture out mom's front window. I really like it. I looked out to see Wendell and Michael having some serious bonding time....cute....cute! Seriously, My family likes him so much better than me. I don't blame them though.

One Day At A Time

Well surgery is over. Dr. Netterville talked very positive and told us that mom has a "bright future". The tumor was some-what bigger than what they expected. But it had defined edges(this is a good sign). Of course nothing is for certain until her biopsy comes back sometime next week. When I left the hospital tonight, she was in a lot of pain. The doctors were assuring us that this would be even better by morning.

My darling husband (the really cute one on the header of my blog) drove Kiah and me to Vanderbilt this morning. He rode home with Karen tonight so that he can work tomorrow. During surgery he left and found me an easily accessible hotel (he's the best). And it even has high speed Internet. I won't complain about it being the slowest hi-speed in the universe because I'm just thankful to check my email and catch up on some blog time!

Lisa had her baby this afternoon.....ready for this....hold your breath....11lbs and 7oz. I can't wait to see her real soon.

Well now I'm off (very slow like) to update mom's blog. Hopefully I'll get it finished tonight.

P.S. If you haven't got a personal phone call through all this....let me assure you that we still love you. We are tired, grieving, healing, and just carrying on. We may have forgotten a few along the way but never intentionally.

Our God is so good.

My Nanny

Nanny (mom's mom) went home to be with the Lord this evening. It was an unexpected shock. She will be greatly missed. If you were not acquainted with her, you really missed out. Mom has decided to keep her surgery appointment. If she canceled she would have to wait another month before they could get her in. We have had a very hard day at the hospital. Mom and Wendell are currently driving to Nashville. Please keep mom in your prayers. She's a trooper and I know God will give her grace for what she's facing. I'll update her blog tomorrow night post surgery.

Yet more Randomness

• It's finally Friday and next week is.....SPRING BREAK!!!!!
• I think everyone should be a teacher!
• Driving home I saw a bumper sticker with the bible verse "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." It really got me thinking...about my life....this year....this week...this day.
• Mom's Surgery is Tuesday.
• Lisa (Michael's sister) is having a baby on Tuesday.
• Rachel (my fav cuz) is having a baby on Thursday.
• Michael and I are looking at a house in O.S. on Monday.
• I'm probably heading to Nashville on Monday (wanna be my roomie, Teresa?)
• Michael is rushing me out the door to go to Jec and Billys.....more later.

Mom's Blog

I love unexpected snow days. They are even better than expected snow days. There is nothing like lying in bed and getting a text @6 am saying school is canceled. The only problem is that then my mind is racing 100mph and I can't go back to sleep. But I'll definitely take that over actually getting up and going to work anyday!!!!

After sleeping in (to an ungodly hour) I watched a few "I Love Lucy" episodes (I was able to use a gift card and get the first season on Dvd and I'm really excited *cheesy grin*) and I worked on mom's blog for several hours. I wanted to wait until it was perfected before giving out the address but I know several people are already looking at it so I'll go ahead and post it. It is:
www.therewillbegrace.blogspot.com Check it out. Let us know what you think. Also keep in mind that it may undergo cosmetic surgery in the next few days. Mom is working on learning to use it. It took me awhile to understand when she says Earl she really means U-R-L! She's sharp, she'll get the hang of it before too long.

Well since our bellys are full and dishes clean, think I'll curl up with my hubby and force a "Lucy" Episode on him....fun times!

Prayer for my mom

It is past midnight and I am not a nite owl so this post may be a little scattered.

I would like to ask you to say a prayer for my mom. A few months ago she found a lump in the back of her mouth/throat. After many doctor visits, She has been diagnosed with Adenoid Carcinoma of the minor salivary gland (hard palette). The ear nose throat specialist has sent her test results to Vanderbilt for review. She should be hearing from them this week. The treatment for this type of cancer is normally surgery to remove it and then radiation treatments.

My parents have been talking to an oncologist in Fl. The good news is that this cancer is completely curable. If it is caught early enough it can be completely cured. It is not a type that goes into remission. Please pray that it is confined and the treatments will cure it.

It was only a few months ago we watched Kiah go through eye injections. God touched her and her vision went from 400/20 back to normal.

The oncologist they are talking with in Fl. is actually a man that Wendell went to school with. Not only is he an oncologist but he actually wrote the book chapter on adenoid cystics of the trachea in the Radiation Oncology textbook. We serve an amazing, all knowing God!

The road to recovery will not be easy or short but I have a tough mom and an Amazing God. Mom is working on starting a blog. I'll post the link for it when it is up and running.