School's Out for the Summer!!!

Wow, it's been a while since I've posted anything. I'm surprised that I am still sane after last week. Finishing up school, getting my room cleaned out and straightened up, completing book inventories, ARI inservice, etc. It was crazy busy but I'm finally seeing some rest in sight (although it won't be coming until around July).

Next week, I have Camp Invention at school. It's a week-long hands-on science camp that I am directing for the second year. It's a wonderful, wonderful program. That will last until the 9th, then I leave for Impact on the 14th. I'll be there until the 24th, then I'll be home for my summer vacation! June is all about work. However, it's work that I enjoy. I hope to work Impact for the rest of my life! It's such a rewarding experience. I'm excited!

In the midst of preparing for the work that needs to be done in June, I have finally started looking for another car. Many of you remember Peggy- my best friend. I met her in June of 1996 and she's been loyal and faithful to me since then. Unfortunately, she's seen her finer days and is starting to fail me now. Ha! Peggy, my altima, has pretty much run her race and is ready to quit! I said I would drive her until the wheels fall off and well, I have. The air conditioner isn't working quite right, she has almost 173,000 miles, needs four new tires, etc etc etc.

My dream car is an Infiniti QX4 - pictured below. I have wanted one of these for about 6 years now but have waited and made sure I was getting my money's worth out of Peggy before purhcasing something else. The picture below is of one that I am in the process of talking about with a salesman in Tennessee. It's hard to shop for these cars. For one, there isn't an Infiniti dealer here. Two, QX4s are hard to find. There may be one here and two there, but I can't just go to a dealership and have several to choose from. So, I'm having to find them online and then contact the salesman to inquire about them. I would be totally shocked if it were to work out for me to buy this one, but I have to start somewhere. I'll keep you posted!

He Makes Me Proud!!!!!!!

SOUL PATROL FOREVER!!!!!

How can you deny that??? VOTE TONIGHT!

Come on, it's just a little phone call. Please vote tonight for Taylor!!!! JUST CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!

More random thoughts...

1. Today was my last day of school with the kids! It hasn't hit me yet. I feel like I still need to be planning what I'm teaching tomorrow. I do have inservice for two days, but that'll be cake compared to having 17 kids in the classroom. I'm relieved. I got some good gifts too! :)

2. With all due respect, I don't even care if some of you are getting tired of seeing Taylor appear on my blog. You know what, American Idol is a very important part of my life at this point so I can post as many pictures of Taylor as I want! Ha Ha! Tomorrow night is the last performance. We need your votes!!!!



3. For those of you that knew about my plans to go to California this summer, I think the trip is off. I can barely talk about it I'm so upset! There were just too many hurdles to overcome and at this point I'm questioning if God is just saying "don't go right now." Regardless, I think I'm going to let it go and just try to plan another trip later. Never fear, Amy will be making her appearance on Rodeo Drive eventually. I am now trying to plan a shorter, much cheaper trip. I have the number to the Oprah show in front of me so I will spend time the next few days calling in trying to get tickets to her show. If so, I will definitely go to Chicago instead. Any other ideas for a fun weekend away? I want to go somewhere I've never been. That's the only stipulation. If any of you have visited a neat place that is reasonably priced, please share!

So there they are, my thoughts for today. I started not to post but when I saw that picture of Taylor online I couldn't resist!!! Happy Monday!

Just some random thoughts....

I went to graduation today. Sitting in the audience brought back so many memories for me. I can't believe it's been 12 years (tomorrow actually) since it was me sitting there in a blue gown with the funny hat and tassel. I envied the graduates today for that feeling of a new beginning, a fresh start, another chapter of life. There are things in my past I wish I had done differently and things I wouldn't have changed at all. There are things I wish I had learned earlier and things that I still shouldn't understand. But, the good news is I don't have to graduate to be given a fresh start. Luckily our God gives us lots of chances to get it right because I still don't have life figured out. I try daily to let go of my worries and live the simple life God planned for me. I say simple because I really believe that's what God meant for us. When He tells us not to worry and to lay our burdens down He means it. Why is that hard for me? Why do I sometimes feel like I am in control of my life (when I DON'T want to be) and I have to make sure to make all the right decisions and worry about the right things, etc. I've been reminded this weekend that thankfully, I'm not in control.

I ask all of you that read my blog to please pray that I will give God my life. I confess my struggle with worry. I am fearful of so many things and want desperately to leave it at the foot of the cross but for some reason I know nothing else but to carry it on my own. That robs me of joy and peace and I know that's not the life God wants me to lead. Thank you all in advance for your prayers. God is so awesome and I know He will deliver me from this burden and allow me to give Him all the glory. I hope you all have a great week. As for me, tomorrow is my last day of school so it should be just grand for me!!! :)

P.S. PLEASE vote for Taylor Tuesday night!!!!

OH MY WORD.....

OH MY WORD! Taylor took my breath away last night. Did you hear him singing to me? Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful??" Wow - he did so great. Have I mentioned I'm in love? :)

I just bought tickets to the American Idol concert today. It's in August and I am already counting down the days. I'm disappointed though, because I bought tickets during a presale, less than two hours after they went on sale, and still didn't get great seats. We're in section 13L. .....
My main concern is being in a spot where I can take some good pictures. Last year our seats weren't good but Bridgett and I talked a security guy into letting us sit in his section RIGHT BESIDE THE STAGE! It was awesome! I guess we'll have to do that again. Don't worry - I'll find my way to Taylor somehow!!!

P.S. For those of you who are beginning to get really worried about my "obsession" with Taylor, please don't. I am very much under control. Ha Ha Ha Ha

P.S.S. "Soul Patrol, Soul Patrol, Soul Patrol....."

More family stories.....

For those of you that know (and those of you that don't) Ben's wife Anna, please keep her in your prayers. In the last week or so she's been put on bed rest and is having some contractions. She has to pretty much stay flat on her back unless she is eating or getting up to go to the bathroom. When she moves around too much she has contractions. She's 25 weeks today and the doctor wants her to at least make it until 28 weeks. He says that'll be high cotton. Every day after that is icing on the cake. Just pray that these three precious babies and Anna will be safe and healthy.

We had a scare last night. Paige is in town with the kids and everyone was just planning to have a nice, relaxing night. Ben called and said they were on the way to the hospital because Anna was having contractions -things suddenly changed. Mom and I went over to get Joshua and Marah so Paige could go be with Ben and Anna. Paige frantically tried to get things together so the kids could come over and spend the night with us. By the time she got them all packed up and got herself on the way, Ben called and said the doctor was sending her back home. Thankfully, nothing had changed with Anna-she wasn't dilated anymore. Paige decided to go ahead and go on to visit with them a little while anyway, so mom and I still got to keep the kids. We had a blast! They were absolutely wonderful and we had the best time. I know I write about my family a lot but they truly are my rock and what I live for. Of course, I took some pictures last night. Just look at how cute.....