Have you ever....

known someone that was so spectacular, awesome, amazing, talented, and blessed beyond imagination that you can't help but to love and wish the best for them? Well, I say to Mallory Ervin: you are still a winner for Kentucky! Even though she didn't win the 2010 Miss America crown - which totally sucks and I'm honestly bummed - Mallory is beautiful, talented, and oh-so-amazingly-blessed by God with many special gifts that she WILL use constructively and positively and for the betterment of this world. I know Mallory, and I know that getting 4th runner-up will NOT slow her down. She did fantastic at tonight's pagaent in Las Vegas. I'm so proud of you Mal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK so it's nearly 11:00 on this chilly Saturday night and I have accomplished absolutely, positively nothing today! Kevin asked me yesterday what I wanted to do this weekend and I specifically said, "I'm sleeping till noon, staying in my pajamas all day, and will watch Mallory in the Miss America pagaent on TLC." Well, that's what happened today - seriously. Kevin did decide it was his night to "cook" so we ate dinner at SpringCreek BBQ, which meant I had to change clothes for the occasion.....and apply deodorant.

Tomorrow holds a morning of Sunday School and church then a trip to Wal-Mart for groceries. The pantry is seriously bare, we're even out of bread. It's nearly time to call the Peace Corps. I'm only working a half-day on Monday this coming week, so I'll have plenty of time to rest, relax, and prepare dinner for my wonderful husband. Who knows, we might even go to the Fort Worth Stock Show one evening. On Friday, we're driving to the in-law's to visit and pickup the steer meat. Welcome 300+ lbs of fresh, grass-fed BEEF....it's what's for dinner! Seriously, this is a huge difference between store-bought and the fresh stuff.

Good news on the employment radar: Beginning February 8th, I am the reading tutor for 8th graders at Hughes Middle School in Burleson. It's a great opportunity for me. I'm looking forward to working with middle school students, getting to know the English/Language Arts (ELA) teachers, and gaining much-needed experience. I pray for God's blessing and guidance, and for patience and compassion.....I'm hopeful this will lead to a full-time position too!

May the grace of God be with you.

I need an "easy" button

Where is my "easy" button for milk allergy outbreaks? I don't want an easy button for life, because that would be asking for WAY too much...but the ability to take a pill or drink a crazy concoction would be fantastic.

The awesome, amazing, and wonderful Bread Lady (hey Carol M!!!) recommended sauerkrat juice, I'm desperate and willing to try anything. Del Monte here I come................

I've never considered it before, but imagine for a moment a cheese grater and the flesh on your throat, esophagus, and intestines......not to pleasant, huh? Well, that's what I feel in my mouth, palette, and stomach with this latest milk allergy outbreak.

I have no idea exactly what I ingested, but GOSH it must've been a whole lot. The outbreaks can last anywhere from a couple of days to over a month, depending on the amount of milk (or milk byproduct) I consumed. Currently, I'm on day 8 with no signs of relief in sight. Have I mentioned how much I really dislike milk? I mean absolutely NO disrespect to the dairy farmers, but those cows are nothing but poison to me.

I wish I had my Mom. Seriously. Not that the pain would cease, but I'm a baby when I don't feel good and a good dose of Motherly Love would be so wonderfully spectacular right about now. If it didn't hurt so bad to talk, I'd call her right now.

You want to here something funny.....Kevin and I conversed last night via Post-It notes. I'm not kidding. I was so tired and barely had a voice, so we wrote notes back and forth to each other. How sweet is my hubby?!?!

And, last but CERTAINLY not least, I'm sending a big shout out to Miss Kentucky Mallory Ervin. She's in Las Vegas this week preparing for Miss America 2010. I'm so proud of her, so happy for her and the entire family. I love them so much. I really wanted to be in Vegas this weekend, but circumstances prevent. But you can bet I'll be watching TLC this Saturday, January 30th - GO MISS KENTUCKY!!!!!!!!!

GOOD LUCK, MALLORY - we love you in Texas!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Busy doing nothing

What a delightful, successful, and hopeful day. I've accomplished exactly what I set out to do: NOTHING!!!! And it feels so wonderful. :)

Went to church this morning and enjoyed a marvelous service by Rev. Bob Holloway, the District Superindentent. Rev. Lara and several members of FUMC-Joshua going to the Holy Land left early this morning for their adventure from Dallas/Fort Worth to Atlanta, then JFK in New York, before finally boarding a plane to Israel. I have no idea how long the flight is, but I'd have to have some serious books to read and possibly a sleeping pill or two (or three!) for that extensive duration!!!! I might need a suitcase just for the reading material. My prayers are with them that God will keep them safe and wish I could join them on such an amazing trip - maybe next time! Follow Rev. L and the "pilgrims" through her blog "Joshua in the Land of Jesus" at http://fumcjoshua.blogspot.com/.

I began a new journaling series yesterday with the book Mastering the Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success by Andy Andrews. More on that later...

After eating a leftover lunch (kudos for chicken and vegetable kabobs, I made mini-sandwiches with the chicken and added the veggies to my spinach salad - YUMMY!), I settled onto the couch for a lazy afternoon of reading The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck. The teacher in me is escaping wildly; besides the usual highlighting, underlining, and note-taking, I started a vocabulary word list from each chapter -  PITIFUL!!!!!!! I hardly doubt this is a book that I would study with middle school students, but hey, it never hurts to be prepared. I'm all about expanding horizons, I'm really excited about this book. So far, so good.

The Indianapolis Colts successfully rushed past the New York Jets and are headed to Miami for the Super Bowl in two weeks. Even if it was a more exciting football game, I was too engrossed with my literature to notice the TV was even on. Kevin and Neama were in the garage with the jet-skis and I was happy-as-a-lark on the couch with a book! However, this Minnesota (Vikings) vs. New Orleans (Saints) game is tied just a minute before halftime, I like the games that are close decisions. Back to the Super Bowl, should I host a party? I'm thinking about it, just to give me another excuse to cook for a group of friends! I'm getting into this hostess-with-the-mostess mentality - y'all come on over!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom is doing better and continuing to improve daily. My aunts and Mom's sisters, Georgia and Kathy, spent the weekend with her and she thoroughly enjoyed the company. I wish I had been there for the party and card-games!!!!

My allergy outbreak is beginning to improve, I hope the worse of the reaction is over and my body begins to heal. I'm working at Academy in Burleson most of this week, except for Thursday when I'll be at Hughes Middle School, also in Burleson. I'm excited, these are great schools with wonderful students. And, I am also praying for an opportunity to speak with administrators about teaching openings for the 2010-11 school year. Somebody hire me, please!!!!!!!!

...When all is said and done, none of us will be measured on how much we accomplish but on how well we love.

I've read this book twice now, and I swear I got ten times as much out of it than before. I enjoyed this book very much, because of it's truth, open dialogue, and sincere appreciation of human's inner struggle to comprehend the imcomprehendable. Here are a few of my favorite excerpts.

I'm reminded of many great things, and many things to be grateful for:

1. I am never alone, God is always with me;
2. To embody God is to fully succumb to His purpose, His will, and His plan;
3. There is abundance when intelligence, respect for knowledge, braids with faith;
4. God is patient and subtle, He does not work through magic or snap divine fingers;
5. Challenge every side of every question;
6. Don't reserve prayer for when your best efforts fail;
7. God is present in the suffering, and His heart breaks with mine - and He rejoices with me too;
8. Love is the greatest commandment of all, welcome people of all religions.

A beautiful prayer from Reinhold Niebuhr, adapted as the Serenity Prayer of Alcoholics Anonymous:

Grant us, our Father, your grace, that, seeing ourselves in the light of your holiness, we may be cleansed of the pride and vain-glory which obscure your truth; and knowing that from you no secrets are hid, we may perceive and confront those deceits and disguises by which we deceive ourselves and our fellowmen. So may we worship you in spirit and in truth and in your light, see light.

From Christian theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer:

I'm still discovering right up to this moment, that it is only by living completely in this world that one learns to have faith...I mean living unreservedly in life's duties, problems, successes, and failures, experiences and perplexities. In so doing we throw ourselves completely into the arms of God.

Do I love unreservedly in life's duties?

To summon the kingdom of heaven as Jesus described it is not to call down perfection on an imperfect world, but to bring recurring, overriding virtues of the Gospel - love, mercy and redemption - to moments that will probably not make headlines.

Do I show love, mercy and redemption in moments that will not make headlines or reap me great rewards?

A recurring them in Tippett's literary genius is develop eyes to see and ears to hear. But what does this mean? Lord, please open my eyes to see you, open my ears to hear you, and shut my voicebox so that I may hear your whispering voice.

Also from Reinhold Niebuhr:

Nothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime; therefore, we must be saved by hope. Nothing which is true, or beautiful, or good, makes complete sense in any immediate context of history; therefore, we must be saved by faith. Nothing we do, however virtuous, could be accomplished alone; therefore, we must be saved by love. No virtuous act is quite as virtuous from the standpoint of our friend or foe as it is from our own standpoint; therefore, we must be saved by the final form of love, which is forgiveness.

And I believe, wholeheartedly, that the ultimate form of forgiveness is God's grace. There is nothing more precious, more worthy, or beautiful. It is.......love. Afterall, God so loved the world that He gave his only Son so that I would be saved.

Praise be to God!

Ponderings

Yesterday was quite the adventure....not that Kevin and I did anything adventorous, but it was an eventful day nonetheless. We both had dentist appointments yesterday morning - his at 10:00, mine at 10:30 - and we are now searching for a new tooth doctor. Kevin doesn't like the "chatty-ness" of this dentist and I don't like the hygentist's manner with my allergy outbreak. I told her 57 times yesterday that it was not Strep throat, and also, PLEASE, do not use that sharp metal pick on open, very painful, ulcers in my mouth and on my palette - she was stabbing me like I was a piece of overcooked beef. And don't even get me started on the receptionist.......she's another word that rhymes with "witch." At least we both had good reports: No Cavities!

Neama came over to the house within minutes of Kevin and I arriving from the dentist's office. We went to Subway to grab sandwiches for lunch. The three of us walk out of Subway with the following: Kevin - meatball; Nicole - turkey; and Neama - turkey and ham. But we paid for a ham and cheese, tuna, and club sandwich. We (sincerely) tried to correct the cashier's mistake, but it only got worse as she did not speak English and we do not speak Spanish. Our attempts to "make it right" failed miserably and we left Subway (smiling) with really cheap sandwiches.

The Boys (that would be Kevin and Neama) messed with the jet-skis for a couple of hours - I won't go into the details of their next business venture - and I worked on resumes. Ahhhh, the wonderful world of resumes, cover letters, and the pitiful attempt to scream, "HIRE ME!" in the most respectful, thoughtful, grab-their-attention and mature way with words on paper. I've revised my resume about six times since August, but I think I may have found the format that works for my teaching and professional experiences in the world we call life. I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to work in Fort Worth as a longterm substitute, I think it "beefed" up my resume quite a bit. And, as miserable as I was at my former position, I can script a fantastic job description!!!!! In all, there are 35 envelopes ready to go to the post office today. It's quite a stack:

Mailing 35 resumes to local school districts

I am sending a cover letter and resume to 35 local elementary and middle schools located in the Fort Worth, Joshua, Crowley, Godley, and Burleson school districts. Of course there are more schools in Fort Worth ISD, but I'm trying to stay as close to home as possible. This is round one, and it doesn't not include Cleburne. I'm giving my printer a chance to rest, I think I saw smoke yesterday - it's never been used this much before!!!!!

Back to yesterday.......Kevin and I followed Neama to Mansfield where we looked at a house that Neama and Stephanie are hoping to buy. The home is in a great neighborhood, sits on a corner lot, has four bedrooms and three baths, a media room, a game room, and a nice kitchen; it could be a really great bargain if the bank is willing to sell the foreclosed property. We'll see what they say............Dinner at the Monajami's last night and we Skyped to Pittsburgh to wish Haideh a very happy birthday. Skype is really cool, unfortunately Kevin and I do not have a webcam.

Today's plan is simple: rest and relaxation. Neama, Steph, and Cameron are coming over after lunch so The Boys can work on jet-skis. I'm not sure what Steph and I will do, maybe "veg" out on the couch and watch Elmo movies with Little Britches (aka Cameron). I'm making dinner for everyone: grilled chicken and vegetable kabobs, baked beans, some type of potatoes, and some type of salad - maybe cole slaw.

Check out the new placesettings on the table too. I've had the placemats forever but I found a 'springy' tablecloth for super-cheap and the green salad plates at World Market for 70-cents apiece......can you say BARGAIN!?!?!?!

Getting ready for Springtime with the table setting!!!!

It's almost 9:00, Kevin is still in bed, and I'm seriously considering changing clothes and going to Walmart while the crazy people are still asleep! I just need a couple of things, and I might also go through the carwash. I don't remember my car's original color, it's filthy dirty right now!

I realize my life is not that exciting, but to the ones that do read this blog: THANK YOU! And please leave me comments, I love hearing from anyone that reads my posts.

Trouble..... and a whole lot of Misery

Misery has set in tonight: I am having an allergic outbreak. I'm not sure if it occured at Mi Cocina's on Tuesday or if the sourdough bread I bought has milk in it, but I have a severe outbreak in my mouth right now. It hasn't progressed to my stomach or intestines (yet!), but I'm praying this weekend goes fast and God will heal me quickly. I have a weeklong assignment in Burleson next week, I want to be well for the students at Academy and Hughes Middle. I hope it's not trouble around the corner!!!!!

TROUBLE

It hurts to breathe. It hurts to swallow. It hurts to eat. It hurts to drink. Basically, it hurts to exist. The roof of my mouth looks awful, I won't share all the details.

Kevin and I both have dentist appointments tomorrow morning, I'm really nervous about mine. I'm secretly thinking about taking extra strength Tylenol before I go....or tell the hygentist to give me some laughing gas so I can relax during the cleaning.

Update on Mom: she's doing much better, I actually talked to her earlier this evening. She ate a very small breakfast and lunch, and picked at her dinner, but she's resting as comfortably as can be expected. My two aunts, Georgia and Kathy, are leaving Louisville tomorrow morning to spend the weekend with her. In fact, the nurses at the hospital (who know Mom) asked where the "two loud, hilarious sisters that play cards" were!!!! Too funny.....again, wish I was there with them.

Bye, Miss H!!!!!

First priorities: I spoke to my Dad earlier today (for the first time since he left me a voicemail on Sunday) and we managed to have a conversation about Greg Tapp without getting too upset. He said the funeral service was beautiful, and I can only imagine - I really wanted to be there. Mom had her surgery this morning in Henderson and everything went well. She was in quite a bit of pain and very naucious this afternoon, but they gave her pain medication and it relieved some of the upset stomach. I pray she will rest tonight and have a much better day tomorrow. Thank you, Miss June and Neenie, for taking care of my Mom so Dad could be a pallbearer for Greg. My heart is so heavy, I want to be in KY so bad right now. (sigh)

OK....so today was my last day at South Hills Elementary in Fort Worth. It's hard to believe that six weeks has passed, but Mrs. Robertson had her baby (Joseph Woodrow, I love that name!!!) and Fort Worth ISD considers her healed, rested, and ready to return to work! So, my wonderful, mischievious, and often humorous 40 second graders said goodbye (adios!) to Miss H today. I promised them on the first day of this assignment that I would know each of their name's before I left...........and I kept to my word. When they left the classroom this afternoon for dismissal, I received a hug from each of them and I called them all by name. I'm going to miss the little rug-rats!!!!!!!!

I'm so appreciative of the entire South Hills staff, especially Mrs. Dilley for the opportunity to be a longterm substitute, Mrs. Robertson for being pregnant; and I'm indebted to Mrs. York for her patience and mentorship. I definitely would NOT have gotten those grades finished without her help!!! To the other teachers, especially Mrs. Rodriquez and Ms. Yaker: thanks for keeping it fun. I have to return soon for a visit, I miss them all already.

I'm off tomorrow and Friday.......I really want to get in my car and drive to KY but then I would have to turn around and immediately leave because I begin another substitute assignment at Academy Elementary in Burleson on Monday. Academy is without-a-doubt my favorite elementary school, perhaps the best campus I've ever worked at. I would love to get a full-time job teaching fourth or fifth grade there, but I'm applying ALL over the place. I'm willing to drive a bit further than I would prefer for the first year, because I must teach in a full-time, teacher of record, position before I get my permanent certificate from the State of Texas.

Trying to get my mind off of Kentucky, I want to finish the church directory tomorrow at church. Kevin is off on Friday, hopefully we can spend some time together and perhaps even hit some golf balls at the driving range. We'll see how it goes.

In Memory of Greg Tapp

L-R: Mom, Greg & Kris Tapp (Nicole's Wedding, 03-31-07)

The day that I was expecting arrived today: Greg Tapp passed away this morning around 11:30 after a heroic battle with a very rare, and very aggressive, form of cancer. He was 58 years young. Greg is greatly missed, but I am comforted in his unwavering faith and trust in the Loving God. I know Greg is resting peacefully in Heaven tonight.

I have many great, and wonderful memories with Greg. Several years back I came home from college and Tapp Farms was short a couple of helping hands in the hay meadow. Greg called my Dad - who is also named Greg - who said I was home and available to work. Greg came to the house and politely asked if I would be interested in driving a truck. My response was quick: SURE! But then I got nervous and asked, "Is it automatic or standard? Because I don't know how to drive a stick-shift." Greg laughed, and fussed at me, then said he would fuss at my Dad for not teaching me the very important task. After switching vehicles - from a standard one to an automatic - we went to the hay meadow and I slowly and carefully drove the truck, pulling a large flatbed trailor, down the rows for the guys to load the hay bales. I had the easiest job of the day. Lucky for me!!!!

Anybody that attended the wedding of Kevin and I would attest, it was a pretty awesome event! Of course, majority of the Tapp's were in attendance. In fact, Kelby was in the wedding party. Kaleb was scheduled to be in Louisville that morning, but he adjusted his plans so he could attend the wedding - it was a very nice gesture and a pleasant surprise for me when I was walking down the aisle and noticed Kaleb sitting in the pew. It meant a lot to me that he was there for my wedding, it was a very special day.

After the wedding ceremony and reception at the Methodist Church in Clay, the real party moved to "The Bunkhouse" at Mom and Dad's in Sebree. There were many, many people and enough food and drinks to feed an entire Army batallion! Before Kevin and I started opening gifts, we took a truckload of people to Tapp Farms to check out their operation, including the equipment, cattle, pigs, and grain elevators. Have you ever seen a bride, wearing her wedding dress and veil, walking around a farm, sitting on tractors, and petting baby pigs!?!?!?!? Somebody...somewhere...has pictures of this memorable event, oh how I wish I had these photos today.

Perhaps my favorite memory with Greg Tapp was my first, and last, day in the tobacco patch. Kaleb and Kelby were already in the field and Greg was looking for another hand on the planter. He calls my Dad first, and then calls me. What was I going to do, say no? NO WAY! Of course I said yes! Besides, it sounded like fun. I had never planted tobacco before.

Greg and I pull up to the tobacco patch and I get situated on the planter. Now, I'm not even going to try to explain how this particular machine works, but it doesn't seem too complicated until the tractor engine starts and the feeders start moving. I thought I had decent eye-and-hand coordination, but after this experience, I felt stupid, useless, and just plain dumb!!!!!! The feeder turned really fast and I couldn't keep the silly thing full of tobacco seedlings, so Kelby and Kaleb were having to walk behind the planter with a tray of seedlings to fill in the gaps that I had missed. Needless to say, that wasn't working out too well - - for me, or for them! I felt really bad. I was trying really hard, but it just wasn't going to happen. I got off the planter and Kelby took my seat; he wasn't too pleased with my tobacco planting capabilities. Greg was laughing at me......I'm glad somebody found some humor in my ridiculous state! So, needless to say, I was hired - AND FIRED! - from Tapp Farms, Inc. within a matter of minutes. I didn't even stay long enough to get onto payroll OR get a t-shirt with my name on it!!!!!!!

Greg, bless you. I know you are comfortable tonight and finally at peace and painfree. I miss you terribly but I am comforted by your heroic battle with that terrible, awful, aggressive, and just plain unfair cancer. I can't ask why it was you that had to suffer, because I wouldn't understand the response. But I know you touched many lives, and you are loved by many, including me. You are, and always will be, a very dear man in my life. I love you, and I miss you.

My thoughts, prayers, and love to the entire Tapp family - they are some very special people. I love you Kris. I love you Cassie. I love you Kelby. I love you Kaleb.

Heavy heart and aching head

What a week. Thank goodness it's Friday, I don't think I could handle another workday. I have a couple of songs that I've been listening to over, and over, and over again this week and want to share: "Live for Today" by Natalie Grant and "Somebody Like Me" by Jason Crabb - - ENJOY!





The longterm substitute gig is nearly complete but my responsibilities are never-ending. Today was a Teacher Prep Day (no students) and Mrs. York and I worked on grades all day - and I mean ALL day. We started at 9:30 and finished at 4:30. I'm grateful and so appreciative of her help and assistant, but I am very frustrated because I don't feel like the technology is utitilized properly. I am by no means a computer systems professional, but I really, really, REALLY dislike working stupid and wasting time.

My heart is very heavy. Greg Tapp is home from the hospital and I continue to pray for he and Kris and their entire family. I'm not scared of dying, but the pain in my heart is so raw and my soul is shaken terribly because I realize my blessings and how easily it could be my own Dad in that position. Greg is as close to me as a father, and Kaleb and Kelby are like brothers. It hurts so bad to see Greg in this condition, but I am encouraged by Greg's faith in God that he will soon be Home and his pain will cease forever. Oh, how I love that Tapp family! On a lighter note...I had a dream last night that Kaleb and Heather eloped to Mexico. I must call him soon and get the scoop on their cruise, and see if they got hitched.

Greg & Kelby Tapp

Mom called this week with some disturbing news: she must have surgery next week, on January 20th. She made me promise that I would not drive to Kentucky for the procedure, and I gave her my word. She also promises that after her surgery and she has recovered enough for a plane ride, she's coming to Texas for some rest and relaxation. She'll be under lock-and-key at Ropin' H Ranch with Kevin and I.....but we're glad she's coming to see us. Of course, I'm secretly hoping she'll bring an extra suitcase with the real trouble-makers: Case, Tess, and Ben. If you've never met these fine animals, let me quickly introduce you.

Tess

Ben is the best cuddle-buddy ever!

Mascot of Tapp Farms Inc., Miss Case

What a crew...and what faces!!!! A lady in Fort Worth recently lost her life when she jumped into a pond in her neighborhood to rescue her dog that had fallen through the ice. Kevin thinks it is absolutely crazy to love an animal like that, but I can understand the woman's devotion and committment. When pets become family, they have their own identity, personality, and they certainly lose their status as "animal" and become a true part of the family. I also understand that not everyone agrees with this position, and many cannot comprehend these feelings, but I've always been been an animal lover. And yes, I believe that our greatly missed animals are in Heaven with Jesus!

And lastly, I'm revising my resume and teacher portfolio materials in preparation for the "season" of application. In fact, Burleson ISD posted a 6th grade English/Language Arts teacher position at Kerr Middle School on their website yesterday and I applied tonight. That would be a great, wonderful, and awesome opportunity. I've worked at Kerr as a substitute and really enjoy the teachers and administration. They have really great students, and I would love to be a part of the team. And - even better - it's close to home!!!!

I'm ready for a relaxing weekend, an extra long weekend. Monday is a holiday - Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday. I'm going to enjoy the weekend with Kevin. He's roping in Cleburne tomorrow, there are football games tomorrow night, church on Sunday and I'd like to finish the church directory on Monday. We'll see how much I accomplish, at least I don't have stacks of papers to grade!

Books to read in 2010

One of my resolves for 2010 is to read more books. Since March 2009, my collection of books has increased significantly and I want it to continue in 2010. I am a true lover of the written word. Afterall, there is a reason I want to teach language arts and reading!!!!!

I understand where my love of reading developed: my Aunt Georgia. Even to this day - and I'm 26! - when she gives me a gift, it's reading related and it always has a personal, handwritten note on the inside cover. I also have a genuine respect and admiration for Dr. Anthony O'Keeffe, a professor of English and Literature at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Kentucky, where I attended my first year of college. Dr. O'Keeffe helped develop my understanding and reading comprehension and increased my appreciation of literature. As a result, I became a confident and committed reader. He also made a comment that I will never (ever!) forget about reading, "An unmarked book, is an unread book." Every textbook that I used in Dr. O'Keeffe's class was marked and/or underlined. To this day, I mark ALL my personal books, and even some magazines!

Currently reading: "Read For Your Life" by Pat Williams
In the first 73 pages of this book, I'm beginning to realize just how deep my appreciation of literature really is. I wholeheartedly agree that books can, if you let them, shape your thinking, provide new perspectives, and influence your attitude. Books are the best way to challenge myself to accomplish more, keep my outlook fresh, and view life from all angles. If I learned anything in 2009, it was to take off the blinders and open my heart to new possibilities - God will work his will in my life if I am willing to surrender mine. My life has drastically changed in the past year. I surrendered the reins over to God and the doors of opportunity began to open in the field of education. My desire to pursue a career in education came to fruition when I acknowledged that I am an eager, willing, and constant learner. I am truly a lifelong student - and that is only enhanced with my eagerness to read more books.

"Reading lifts people up. It inspires us and challenges us to become better than we are today. People who read are people who achieve. They are better communicators. Reading is a critical key to success; it helps us understand life. Reading, when done effectively, takes who we are and makes us more. Books challenge our potential by shaping our values and thinking; helps determine our life course; and builds character."

"Read for Your Life" - Pat Williams

Other books I want to read, in no particular order.........

1. Falling Apart In One Piece - Stacy Morrison
2. The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
3. When God Is Silent - Barbara Brown Taylor
4. Scouting the Divine - Margaret Feinberg
5. Leaving Church - Barbara Brown Taylor
6. Home Safe - Elizabeth Berg
7. Sutter's Cross - W. Dale Cramer
8. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou
9. The Sacred Echo - Margaret Feinberg
10. The Country Girls - Edna O'Brien
11. Go Tell It On the Mountain - James Baldwin
12. The Power and The Glory - Graham Greene
13. Their Eyes Were Watching God - Zora Neale Hurston
14. Gone With the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
15. Jacob's Room - Virginia Woolf
16. The Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
17. The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter - Carson McCullers
18. Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe
19. Revolutionary Road - Richard Yates
20. What the Heck Am I Going To Do With My Life? - Margaret Feinberg
21. 1984 - George Orwell
22. Five Star Living on A Two Star Budget - Margaret Feinberg
23. The Hour I First Believed - Wally Lamb
24. Speaking of Faith - Krista Tippett
25. The Story of Edgar Sawtelle - David Wroblewski
26. Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro
27. Loving - Henry Green
28. Dangerous Surrender - Kay Warren
29. The Way of a Worshipper - Buddy Owens
30. Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis
31. The Ragamuffin Gospel - Brennan Manning
32. TwentySomething - Margaret Feinberg
33. The Case for Christ - Lee Strobel
34. The Cost of Discipleship - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
35. The Seven Storey Mountain - Thomas Merton
36. Celebration of Discipline - Richard Foster
37. The Diary of A Country Priest - Georges Bernanos
38. Man's Search for Meaning - Victor Frankl
39. Black Like Me - John Howard Griffin
40. Knowing God - J. I. Packer
41. The Jesus I Never Knew - Philip Yancey
42. and the books currenly on my shelves that I haven't read yet!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome 2010!!!

Where do I begin????

What an amazing New Years' weekend and it's only Saturday! Kevin helped me hang the curtain rods over the three windows in the living room Wednesday night; I finished all the cleaning Thursday morning, and then I began prepping for the big New Year's Eve dinner. Cameron had new ear tubes put in early Thursday morning - praise the Lord, everything went well! - and Neama, Stephanie, and Cameron got to the house around 5:00. Because the Monajami's had gone to Pittsburgh for Christmas, Cameron had not opened his presents yet. So he sat in the middle of the floor and said, "oooohhhhh ahhhhhh" on everything. He got some really cute outfits for spring/summer and three sports-theme hooks for his bedroom.

Christmas at Aunt Co and Uncle Kebbie's

Notice the new curtains in the living room!!!!

Heather drove up from Houston and got to house around 6:00. Heather is originally from Morganfield, Kentucky and we used to play golf in high school together. Though we were competitors, we are great friends and I'm so blessed that she "tracked me down." She had my old telephone number, but luckily got in touch with my Dad who gave her my new cell number. What did we ever do without cellphones?!?!?!?!

Dinner was awesome. I forgot the thinly sliced red onions for the spinach salad, but it was a huge hit and the roasted pork loin was wonderful and perfectly cooked. I even made extra cheesy mac-n-cheese for Cameron, who said, "Mmmmmm, Aunt Co!" That was just too cute.

Cameron reading to Uncle Kebbie

Heather fit right in with this crowd; as much as Kevin and Neama dished out, Heather dished back. We had a really fun time, with lots of laughs. Heather and I introduced the card game of "progressive rummy" to Neama and Stephanie. They complained at first, but enjoyed it. Neama and I were fighting over cards, but that's nothing new! While Steph put Cameron to bed, Kevin took her spot and I (generously!!!) saved Steph from getting 300+ points on the hand. I think Stephanie ended up beating all of us though, darn it!!!!!

Pineapple punch and playin' cards!

Afterwards we played "Spades" and I - the idiot from Webster County, KY! - just did not get the gist of the game. Kevin ended up taking over my hand. We played "Cranium," a boardgame that Heather brought with the Guys vs. Girls. It was hilarious. None of us had ever played the game before, but we had a blast. I had to draw a toupee with my eyes closed, Steph was body-boarding on the kitchen floor, and Kevin was doing his best James Bond impersonations!!!!!!

The "turd" on the plate is actually Play Doh!!!!

New Years Day was pretty chilly and Kevin woke up early to go roping in Alvarado. Heather and I left later because she wanted to attend Mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Cleburne before we went to Alvarado. It was a beautiful service and I'm glad I went with her. We got to Diamond W Arena before noon and watched Kevin rope. His partners were pretty crappy though; out of 6 partners, he only had one time and that header missed in the final round - UGHHHHH!!!! But at least Heather got to experience a team-roping event while she was here!

After Heather, Stephanie, and I participated in some retail therapy in Mansfield, Heather and I drove back to Joshua to get Kevin before heading to Fort Worth to meet Neama, Stephanie, and Cameron for an evening of FUN: bowling and arcade games at Main Event and dinner at Fuddrucker's. Kevin has been bragging about this "outstanding bowling ability" and he sucked wind - - with Cameron's help he managed to score above 50!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Neama barely edged out the win over the rest of us, I think he cheated. Cameron had a blast though, he loved rolling the balls down the lane and playing arcade games. The rest of us had a pretty good time as well, between air hockey, motorcycles, and derby races we were all entertained!

Heather and I got up this morning (Saturday) and drove to the Fort Worth Stockyards. We made it just in time to see the Fort Worth Longhorn Herd make their trek down Exchange Avenue. It's always neat to see the longhorns and mounted cowboys walking down a bricklane through the Stockyards. We had lunch at Cattleman's Steakhouse, walked around the Exchange Shoppes and drove past Billy Bob's, the world's largest honky tonk. Maybe on her next trip, we'll go to Billy Bob's and find her a real Texas boy, maybe even Wild Bill Hickok!!!!!!!!!

Fort Worth Herd at The Stockyards

Heather, Wild Bill Hickok, and Nicole

What a great weekend, I'm so blessed - beyond imagination - and I love, love, LOVE my family and friends!