Kevin is HOME!

Yesterday was a bit of a blur for me. I was a nervous wreck because I knew I'd have to speak. And, yesterday the chapel was so packed that they had to bring in extra chairs. We were sitting at the front, so when I stood and turned around I kindof lost everything I wanted to say! ha!

It was a great day for Kevin. He was surrounded by childhood friends, family, and family friends. He had quite a group there to see him off into the real world. Four of his buddies he has had since high school came, his parents, my mom, his sister and her crew, and even parents of some high school buddies. The only regret I have of the day was that I didn't think to video him leading the song "He Arose" in the front of the church. Wow - he was really something! When his graduation video is posted to the John 3:16 site, I will share it with you. It really showed the growth and change in him from 6 months ago.

Look - here is the line-up for the day...Kevin's graduation!! hee-hee!

Once we got home, we went out to eat and then to the grocery store because for those that know me, you know the refrigerator was empty. Kevin laughed when he saw it and said I was a guy...I had Dr. Pepper, poptarts, and some french onion dip & chips. That's about it. LOL! But what was really funny was that we were tickled to just be grocery shopping shopping together! How's that for finding some appreciation in the little things...I normally hate grocery shopping! ha!

And, best of all, my wonderful food is back...here is my breakfast this morning...breakfast tacos. His breakfast tacos ROCK! *and, no, I am not at work today...I am sick...cough...cough!

Retreat continued...

I am still tired today from the excitement and late nights of scrapbooking over the weekend, so this is going to be short and then I'm crashing! I will catch up on all blog reading tomorrow...or Wednesday when I play hookie from work....shhh! Anyway - above is Peggy at her work station. We all got our own 6 foot table to scrap at - there were about 32 scrappers total I think.
This is our gang late into the night on Friday night...we were actually more tired Friday night than Saturday night...hmmm? Oh, and I have to give a shout-out to Laura & Peggy who made it until 4:30 am Saturday night...woohoo!

There was a scrapbook retreat queen...sadly it wasn't one of us. The queen is pictured below - we all have aspirations to steal her crown next year. The queen is the one who scraps the most pages. (I was pumped with my 34 pages!! yippee)
Our saving grace was Laura who won the PJ parade...whew! We have a winner in the group! Go Laura...aka Funny Girl! The PJ queen! I think it was the boots!

Scrap Retreat Weekend

First of all, we had a BLAST! Second, I am exhausted!! And, today when I got home I crashed for 3 hours and could have easily slept until in the morning!! Here we are in our matching T-shirts we bought just for the weekend, because we LOVE to cheese it up! heehee! Aren't they cute? Next year, we are thinking maybe matching PJ's...because this has to be a yearly thing. It was THAT awesome!! I only have the energy to post one picture tonight...more to come tomorrow! :-) I know you are all going to wait on pins and needles. LOL!
My favorite things about the weekend were just simply getting away with great friends, the awesome CD that Laura made for us to listen to on the way - she titled it scrappers delight - ha, the fun we had with our walkie talkies (we had to take two cars because of all the stuff and each car had a walkie talkie so we could sing together and still talk on the way...we know we are cheesy but we don't care!), and the new tools we learned about on the trip. I may think of more tomorrow when my brain isn't dead...but I do know I have to get a big bite. That is on my next Hobby Lobby trip!!
Stay tuned....more tomorrow! :-)

T.G.I.F.

This was the slowest week!!!

I hobbled through yesterday after my latest fall. The kids were very nice to me yesterday and good....maybe I'm on to something here! ha! Seriously, this fall was worse than when I fell down the bleachers this summer at the horse show. Remember that one? hee-hee! I am definitely getting older because I still hurt this morning!

I have another full, fun-filled weekend ahead. More basketball, time with my BFF's scrap shopping, and of course, a day with Kevin. It's all good! Even the part about turning 29 again!

Have a GREAT weekend!

Burning up the roads again!

This weekend was busy and awesome! I'll keep it short - or try to! And, I am mad at myself that I either forgot my camera (Friday night) or forgot to take pictures (Saturday!)...ooopps!

Ok - Friday was awesome for several reasons. The first being the most obvious - there was a camp meeting at John 3:16, and I got to see Kevin!! The other great part of that is the meeting was put on by Newport. This is where Kevin and I grew up, so we got to see some people from High School and Church that we haven't seen since we graduated. One of which was one of my best buds in high school. (and as an aside - it goes to show that alcoholism can hit even those you least expect it to. This guy was one of my good friends that I ran around with when I was tired of being "bad" and just wanted to relax and not have peer pressure. He never got in trouble or drank in High School. As a matter of fact, we would always go for milk shakes! ha! Anyway, turns out he was in rehab for about a month for alcoholism right after college. It can happen to anyone.) But enough of that, it was just great to see him. oh, and here is why I'm mad I forgot my camera - Kevin played the bongo's at the end of the night with the band that plays at John 3:16!!! I will have to get it next time!

I could keep going about Friday, but I'll move on to the Saturday highlights. Autumn had another Upward basketball game. I just cannot get good pictures at these games. She did make her first basket! yay Autumn! (and it was right after I stopped videoing - I had zero camera luck this weekend! ha!) Here she is chillin' and waiting on her turn....(#42).

Oh, and I thought this was cute - they make this grand entrance with the announcer and the foggy smoke screen. heehee!

After the game, some of us went with Mom to look at a horse trailer. Well, she bought it! A 4-horse trailer with living quarters in the front. It is nice!! I would show you, but, yep, forgot to get a picture! Jeez!!

Sunday, I was back on the road ~ day 3 in the car! Off to John 3:16 again, and it was another great visit. You know, we are almost to February and then I can say, "next month, he comes home!" yeehaw!

*Mom, I will post a video or two tomorrow of her game! :-)

Lovin' the next few days!

I always LOVE Friday's but tomorrow will be even better because I will get to see Kevin! Then, I will be entertained on Saturday with another of my niece's Upward basketball games. I hope to get better pictures this time around! And of course, Sunday, I get to see Kevin again. I just hope the weekend isn't over in a flash...good stuff coming!

Weekend Wrap-Up

First of all, this week FLEW by and followed with a nice, quiet family weekend!

Friday night, I went to dinner with big 'ole group of family to say bye to my cousin who is leaving for college (actually left today). But he is only about an hour away...still, his Mom, one of my BFF's, now has an empty nest. Poor Peggy! Maybe she'll get all caught up on scrappin' now! You gotta think of the positives! :-) We are good at that - we managed to have TWO go out to eat to say good-bye to Jared nights this week! ha!

Saturday, I met my Bubby and Mom in Conway to watch my niece, Autumn in her first Upward Basketball game. It was great! Lots of laughs!! They were a little lost at first but actually ended up coming back to only lose by 2 points! Then we went to eat and shop a little.

See the basketball hair:

Thank goodness she isn't a girlie girl!! ha!

And I wrapped up the weekend by starting a new book and spending some quality time curled up with Jax reading. And, of course, I went to see Kevin today!!

Hope everyone else had a good weekend too! :-)

Weekend Highlights...

Friday:
*You know it was scrap night...I got a major Christmas present done, and I wish I could share the details because I am SO excited about it!! But, it's for my Mom and she is a faithful reader. I'll have to tell you about it AFTER Christmas! :-)
*Other Friday highlight was the yummy deer chili that Peggy brought! YUM!!!

Saturday:
*Did a little Christmas shopping - stressed me out. I have no idea how I'm going to buy gifts this year!! I hate to charge them, but it's just going to have to be that...:-(
*Went to Copeland's for a cousin's birthday lunch (Happy Birthday Jared!). Got over Christmas shopping depression with an awesome dessert! ha!
*Went to see Bolt with my cousin's. Loved it!
*Finished my book. (review below - and I looked and I have averaged about a book a month this year - not bad at all!)

Sunday:
*Got to see Kevin for the first time in two weeks!! It was a good visit. We have had some issues come up in the past few weeks that we have needed to work on and today was our first day to get to talk rather than write. It was good for us, and our relationship just keeps growing! I can't explain the warmth and love I felt today from everyone. John 3:16 is an amazing place!!

Girls Only Weekend!

Sometimes all you need are your girlfriends! :-)

This weekend can be summed up with quality girl time only...
**Saturday, Peggy and I started our day with shopping at a big scrapbook sale. Does it get any better?? Well, maybe if you threw in a chocolate dessert! ha! I even bought my first Christmas gift, and it wasn't for myself!! (Pat on the back here!)
**Saturday night was the Reba and Kelly Clarkson concert with my work BFF's. I admit that I don't really listen to Reba or Kelly, but thought it would be a fun girls night (and it was). Let's just title Saturday night as "Three blondes and who has the tickets?" Enough said! LOL!
**Today, Becca & I got to listen to a friend preach at his new church. He was awesome!! I hope to follow him to this church, but my Sunday's for awhile will be at John 3:16. Oh, and as a bonus, turns out it is a small world and his new church is my Great-Aunt and Uncle's church!

Hope you all had a good weekend!

Weekend Report

I had a great weekend!! I studied Friday night for my final and felt really good about knowing my material, but I was most excited about surprising Kevin the next day!! John 3:16 was having an event for Veteran's and guests could attend. He wasn't expecting me because with my final, I didn't think I could make it. Well, I found a way (thank you Jared for house sitting!).

Saturday, I burned up the Arkansas highways for sure - first I drove to Conway to take my final. A two part final! yuck! Oh, and I had a presentation. I HATE presentations!! But, I made it through (mainly because it was a group presentation!). Then, we started our final. I am a bit nervous because I was the first one finished. And in hind sight, I wish I had double-checked it. But, I really just wanted to get on the road to my next destination! ha!

So...I burned up the roads for the next two hours heading from Conway to Batesville and was so early, I had to stop and shop in Searcy to kill time!! LOL!

Here is the drive going into John 3:16 ~ They added the flags for the veteran's. Anyway...Kevin was SO surprised to see me. It was fun getting to surprise him. The other guys helped me out when I got there because he was in the kitchen and they acted like they needed him to come out and help them with something. When he opened the door, there I was and he yelled and hugged me so big, my feet came up off the ground! ha! I don't think we stopped smiling all night!! It was an added bonus that I got to see him two days this weekend!!

(this picture is from today:) The Veteran's service was really, really good!! They did a fantastic job of honoring them. You would have to have a very cold heart not to be moved by that service!! After the service, I spent the night at my Mom's since it's only 45 minutes away. Then, I got to go back this morning!! woo-hoo! If you can't tell by the pictures - Kevin is at about 34 lbs. lighter these days! This is him with his parents today:

I could keep rambling on and on...but I'll stop!! Just keep the prayers coming and keep him in your thoughts.
Check out their website if you have time - they have made updates: www.john316ministry.com

The Weekend

This weekend was MUCH better for me than last weekend...the difference is that I stayed busy! Today marks two weeks since Kevin went to John 3:16, and in some ways it seems like he's been gone for much longer (especially around meal time ~ ha!) I admit that I am ready to be able to at least talk to him. Although, I have been reassured by many that he is doing fine. I still want to see him for myself! But anyway...let me tell you about my weekend b/c it was a good one!

Friday night was scrappin'. It started out a big group of us and then folks started dropping out like flies...(there is an ugly virus going around). So, it dwindled down to 4 of us, and then Sandy got stuck at Wal-Mart most of the night arguing with them over her pictures. She just got back from Mexico and the developing of her pictures just didn't do Mexico justice! It was still a good night (except maybe for Sandy). I got 6 pages done. None are WOW pages, but I'll still post a pic or two sometime this week anyway. You know scrap night is a success no matter how many of us there are or how many pages get done. The main thing is GIRLS NIGHT!!

Saturday I had class all day. Can you believe the next class is our mid-term already? This one is going by so fast, it is making my head spin! The only thing keeping me sane with my Master's stuff is that I can see the end in sight! I could possibly finish this summer!!!

Today was fun b/c I went to Mom and Dad's and spent it with the animals and the girls. They dressed up the dogs:

Autumn had a birthday cake (her Dad will be out of town for her birthday so we did it last minute today). Isn't she looking grown-up???

I got to love on my favorite boxer at Mom's...Rufus!
Autumn and Tayhlor then made me time and judge them in a horseshow. We apparently don't get enough horse shows, so we have to PLAY horseshow on the off weekends! ha!

Here is Autumn with her ultimate birthday present:

And Tayhlor gets to ride Sergio now, so everyone is happy!

There are more pictures coming later in the week...

Meet Shena...Autumn's new horse!

I guess Autumn might share with my Mom! Ha! Seriously, isn't she gorgeous? I couldn't stop looking at her!! She's so soft too!
Her registered name is Shena Lori Darlin. See...it was meant to be! ha! She is a paint quarter horse and placed in the World Paint Horse Show in the Halter class. So, I guess we can add one more event to Autumn's horse show day!
Her family line isn't too shabby either ~ her grandfather had a Superior Halter Award and was an APHA Champion. I was impressed! But, mainly I was in awe at her beauty.
So far, Sergio HATES her! Autumn's pony hates her new horse...hmmm? Think he knows he's being replaced? I tried to tell him today that Autumn will always love him the most. He was her first horse (or pony) afterall. Unless you count Dipstick!....I don't think that stubborn Dipstick counts though! :-) Tune in tomorrow for pics of all the horses at Mom's.
P.S. I had a great weekend. It was just what I needed. Peggy came over, and we scrapped & girl talked Friday night - PERFECT! Just what I needed! Thanks Peggy! Then, Saturday, I didn't get dressed until ... well, I didn't...I did shower at 9 pm before bed though! I got a lot done AND was lazy at the same time. School work, laundry, and blog reading ... all caught up! The teenage neighbor needed money and offered to mow. I got my yard mowed for $20! Can't beat that! Today, I headed to Mom and Dad's and just hung out with the horses, dogs and cats all day. Yep, just what I needed. Now, Kevin can come on back home from the golf weekend he had! :-)

Hangin' in...

One more day...just gotta make it through one more day and then weekend bliss! :-) Due to Mr. Simba being sick and the fact that I need some ME time, I am going to be home this weekend while Kevin goes out of town for a golf tournament. First thing I am going to do is clean house, and then I am going to enjoy having a clean house all weekend. woo-hoo! I am going to sleep in! And, I am not going to hear any crying (if you are crying about anything this weekend, DO NOT call me!). I have heard enough crying from one of my students this week to last a lifetime!! Jeez...I can't handle crying fits. I just can't muster up sympathy after so many times. It's bad! Think it's a good sign that it's only the 3rd week of school, and I am so looking forward to the weekend? LOL!

Hopefully, I will make it to see Autumn's new horse this weekend at some point. She is suppose to be gorgeous! I better make the most of this weekend because my Saturday class starts next week, and then my weekends are booked!

Autumn's Weekend to SHINE!

If the slide show stops, hit the x in the corner and it will restart. It's acting up. There are about 16 pictures total.
We started Friday night with decorating the stall and gettiing set up. Then, Saturday, she was on top of the world. She had two events on Saturday and had all her aunts, uncles, parents, grandparents, and even great-grandparents from both sides of the family there to support her. She even had a few cousins stop by to watch. The day was all about her, and she deserved it!! I was so proud of her and tickled (and a bit misty eyed) to see her showered with so much attention. She rode in Pony Under Saddle and Junior Poles on Saturday. She didn't place, but one of the pictures shows just how much competition there was - about 60 horses per event. She didn't care and wasn't nervous at all. Mom and I had that covered for her! ha! She was busy having a blast, and we were a bundle of nerves in the stand! We were back at it today for Junior Flags, and that was really nail biting!! She did come in 18th place, but they only give out awards for 1st thru 10th place. Again, she wasn't even worried about it. She was just excited to ride...what it's all about anyway! Enjoy the pics! I am SUPER proud of her! :-)

And, guess what her prize from the ole grandparents was on the way home today???? Yep, a new HORSE!! Pictures coming soon! ha!

Give me the weekend please!

I need the three day weekend coming up just to get caught up. I have stayed late everyday. There is so much to do at the beginning of the school year. It is crazy!! See, there is a reason we get the summer off - to stay sane from all the running the rest of the year. Unlike other jobs, all of our stuff has to wait until after school or the weekend b/c we can't do it while we have kids in the room (at least not if you are a good teacher and actually TEACHING). But anyway, I could get way off topic with that.

There was a reason I had nightmares before I got my class this year...they are somewhat true. What a group!! I had one have crying, screaming melt-down today. Wow! What a fit! Haven't seen one of those in awhile. Funny thing - the parents are not returning my calls....hmmmm??

I am ready for the weekend, and Autumn's horse show. I think all of us adults are as excited as she is...I just finished making her sign for her stall with her horses name on it. I hot glued his name in rope onto a board I spray painted red. It looks cute but I burned the heck out of my finger on the hot glue. OUCH!! Here is the sign though...Kevin says I should be proud ~ what cha think Mom?

Everyone have a good, safe weekend! I plan to family and nap it up! hee-hee!

Camping Weekend!!!!

Our Campsite this weekend at Lake Sylvia. We can now completely set up camp in an hour! Woo-hoo! We had a most relaxing weekend that included an adventure-some Saturday and waking up to a rainstorm today...complete with packing up camp in the rain! But was it worth it? Oh yea, even the chiggers! HA! Here we are Saturday morning (self-timer on the camera...heehee!)...after breakfast (and I do LOVE a good camping breakfast), we blew up our floaties (oh, and don't tell Dad that I can actually do it myself b/c I usually sucker him into blowing up my floaties..heehee), loaded 'em in the car and decided to go exploring. Wow! We had no idea where we were at times, but we saw some beautiful parts of Arkansas and felt like we were the only two people in the world. Because we were literally out in the middle of no man's land!
Just to give you an idea of the roads less traveled that we were on look at the picture below...needless to say, we never passed any other cars the entire time. We saw three deer...the first one was a Momma deer and her baby but my camera was in the back. The buck that later ran out in front of us was way to fast even if I wanted a picture! Look at the view ahead of us...we probably drove upward around 15 miles before we started back down the mountain we were on.
Turns out, we were in the Flatside Wilderness of the Ouachita National Forest. We were told this may be Flatside Pinnacle Mtn.??
We saw so many beautiful streams and creeks that I lost count!

Look at this old timey store we stopped at after we found our way out of the forest...it even has a sign out front that still says "washrooms" and points to the bathroom.
Now, we are just heading back to camp and notice a dam and lake that neither of us even knew existed in Arkansas, so of course, we had to stop and check it out too. Ever heard of Nimrod Dam or Nimrod Lake? I hadn't and thought it was a funny name! We climbed up on the Nimrod Dam and checked things out from above. You can camp on the river side or the lake side...the river looked dirty but the lake looked nice, and there were lots of people fishing on the river side.
We finally made it back to camp, had lunch, took a nap in the AC of the pop-up and then headed out for a late afternoon swim. Ahhh...relaxation!!
Of course, we then had to have some good 'ole campin' food for dinner...see the corn? That is from our garden!!! Yay!

Check this picture out: It looks like the towels are on fire but they are a long way off from the fire - I promise! It had rained earlier that day and the wood was wet. It was driving Kevin nuts that he couldn't get the fire going, so he got a bunch of brush and wham - we had fire! Thanks honey!Happy Campers!

(gonna have to crop out that trash in the background for the scrapbooks..ha!)

The best part about camping is that we BOTH love it!! There is nothing better than spending the weekend in the woods with your best friend, no agenda, just hanging out and seeing what adventures come your way. We are very lucky that we love each other's company and can do these things and not ever get bored with it just being the two of us. Love ya Kevin!

Thursday Ramblings of the Week

Things of note this week:

• I started my Master's class on Monday. At first, I was irritated b/c basically the professor met with us and gave us all our assignments and due dates, and we are on our own. We meet a total of two other times to present our PowerPoint's to each other. But then, I thought, this is great for summer. I can work at my own pace and on my own time. I can still piddle in the flowerbeds in the mornings, and in the heat of the afternoon I can do my class work. Win-Win! Right? We'll see!?!?
• Tuesday, I was hit with a nasty summer flu bug. Oh my, it was not nice!! I spent ALL day in bed and couldn't keep a thing down. I haven't been that sick in a LONG time!!
• Then, on Wednesday, my Mom and niece, Autumn came to town to go visiting all the horse tack stores. I gathered up all my strength from being all sickly the day before to go with them...now, you know that was for the enjoyment of the company and the not the stores they were visiting! ha! I mean, you gotta be a horse nut like those two to get enjoyment out of the stores we were in! But it was fun.
• Today, I am cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. This place goes downhill fast when I am down and out. It is a sight! urgh!
• This weekend is camping though, and I am pumped!!! Woo-hoo!
• Oh, and if you missed it, you gotta give some love to that Wordless Wednesday of Jacob! LOL! I love it!

I'm BACK!!!

Did ya miss me? Well, I was on some much need "girl only" time!! Friday night scrappin' was a success of giggles, good food, and girl talk. Then, Saturday, I hit the road for the 3 hour trip to see Michelle (my BFF). We both needed some girl time b/c we had some stress to unload on each other. Isn't that what great friends do? hee-hee! And of course, we scrapbooked some more. I finally got out of my scrappin' creative slump, and I think I came up with an awesome Christmas idea for some family (but I can't tell ya b/c they read!)

Anyway - here are some trip highlights...first, a little background: Michelle and I have this list we made together of 10 things we each want to do that we've never done before...I think it started as 10 things to do in 10 years...but it may excede the 10 year mark. Of course, we don't care...we can change the rules. It is our list, afterall. Well, one of Michelle's items was to ride a roller coaster with me. HA! Fat chance! She is a roller coaster freak, and I hate them!! She finally gave up on the BIG dream and decided this baby coaster would do...ummm, it is a KID coaster and look at face when they took off!! Can you imagine what I would do on a big one? I'd be one of those people you read about having a heart attack!! I never let go of the bar and Jacob (Michelle's kiddo) had to sit with me. He is a little dare devil I might add and kept leaning over the side and making me a nervous wreck!!
Here is much nicer picture of us (although neither one of us likes it! ha!). We took one before church b/c we decided we hadn't taken a dress-up one in a long time. (and yep, her hubs gets tired of taking our picture! ha!)
The rest of the trip consisted of more scrapbooking, running errands, hanging out, and eating - unhealthy as possible - cookie dough (raw and cooked), Mexican food after church, bannana splits (yum), and beans and cornbread (one of my all time favs)...there was more food involved but I can't put into print just how much we truly love to eat!! That would make it real!! ha!
Thanks for a great visit as always Michelle!! (even though you think I side with Chris more than you...how do you think I score all that great deer meat? hee-hee) Love you all!

T.G.I.F.

For SEVERAL reasons I am grateful it's Friday (and really everyday should be Friday for me since I am on summer break...heehee!)

Yesterday was a yuck day. I had my car ready to go and loaded up and went to get in it to meet my work girlfriends for lunch and had a FLAT tire...great! One of my girls did come pick me up and I got to have lunch and see the baby again. He let us go to Chili's and slept the whole time!! Yay! Then, later, Kevin and I got into a big, 'ole nasty fight. urgh ~ we really don't fight often. We will pick at each other, but fighting isn't a very common thing. This one was a yeller! And, we did go to bed mad, but are better this morning.

So....TGIF! The only bad part about today is having to sit at the tire store for awhile to get a new tire. After that, I am rewarding myself with a trip to the scrapbook store! Because tonight is scrapbook night with the girls!!! :-) And then, I am off to see my BFF, Michelle in NW Arkansas for a few days! Yay!

Have great weekends, and I don't wish a flat tire on any of you! ha!

BBQ Weekend

We did it!! It's over and today is rest and try to clean up day. My little kitchen just wasn't made to cater to 500 people out of - ha! We got up Saturday at 4 am and started getting the last of the stuff ready. It was hard work, and we had a steady line for several straight hours. But, Kevin and I make a great team at this (home improvement projects are a whole other story! hee-hee). Kevin, of course, is too hard on himself and doesn't think the BBQ was that great. He always says he could've done better...If it wasn't then please tell me WHY when they made an announcement on the intercom at the end of the day that we were having a "fire sale" and selling boston butts right off the grill, that he sold out in 2 min??? Do people come running for 'it was ok bbq'?? NO! One of these days, he will take his compliments! ha! We were seriously so busy that these were the only pictures I got. By the time we were finished, every muscle in my body was aching!!! But, I still have the catering bug! I love it! And, he was able to give out several of his cards and got another definite event booked from this - so yay!
Now - I have to go read some blogs and then get back to cleaning that kitchen...I should've taken a picture of that so you could appreciate the MESS - and the garage, and even the driveway where the smoker was parked all week! The neighbors have to be thrilled the smoker isn't sitting in the driveway anymore, but they all seemed to love the smell of the BBQ smoking! Kevin says it's the best cologne if he could bottle it! LOL!