The New Do

My brother and I have been growing our hair out for Pantene Beautiful Lengths which makes wigs for cancer patients.  I  reached the goal before Cody did and I was not waiting on him to get there.  I was tired of the long locks.  I went this past Thursday to get my new do.  I was extremely nervous because I had a haircut picked out, but I knew that my husband doesn't like short hair.  I had several conversations with him about getting it cut.  He knew it was for a good cause and I was going to get all the perm cut out.  I called him one more time before I got to the salon to make sure he was "really" okay with me getting it all cut off.  So, here it is...

Before

After

Donny was very sweet about the new look when he got home.  I think he liked it, but said "it will grow."

AU Family ALL In

*I'm a little behind on my post, but I'm catching up this week. 

We had the privilege of attending the Auburn National Championship Celebration.  It was AWESOME!  We got a big group to go down to the Plains.  It was cold, but that didn't matter.  I'll let the pictures tell the story, but Kod! Burns was by far a class act and touched my heart. 

Luke and Tyler

Coach Pat Dye

Nick Fairley

Cam Newton

Lee Ziemba

Kodi Burns

Coach Chizik

The crystal ball!

Mike and Tyler

Donny and I

Luke on  Donny's shoulders watching Tiger Walk.

The Reid boys at Toomer's Corner.

Hello Sunshine, It was so nice to see you!

It has been a restful weekend and I have for the most part enjoyed it. 

Saturday night Donny and I went to eat wings with some of our friends.  My team teacher and her husband joined us and they brought the highlight of the night...Sam Dav!d.  The company and wings were great, but getting to hold and play with SD was the best part.  He is 10 months old and is so active. 

Sunday I was a little concerned that it was going to be a gloomy day, but it ended up being a productive day.  Donny went to work and I went to early church with mom.  I decided I wasn't going to sit at home so I went to school for about three hours.  I got so much done.  There wasn't anything that I really HAD to do I just wanted to get some things in place for the next couple of weeks and I did some cleaning.  I am so prepared for the week therefore my brain has been able to enjoy the weekend.  After leaving school I was so hungry so I stopped by one of my favorite fast food restaurants, Milo's.  I ate that hamburger as it was dripping with Milo's sauce and enjoyed every minute of it.  I then had to do the dreaded grocery shopping.  I'm working so hard to do better at cooking instead of us going out to eat.  The shopping was pretty much painless I just hate doing, but Publ!x does make it easier.  I then stopped by my mom's house to get Ruby, the dog.  Mom was getting ready to give her a bath since she went rolling around in the yard with her white fluffy hair.  I helped get her clean then we took off to the house.  I then decided that since the sun had decided to shine and it had turned out to be a beautiful day I was going to wash my nasty vehicle.  I cleaned the inside and outside.  I also realized that I had a collection of water bottles that I needed to do something with.  I couldn't stand to throw them in the trash...I drink a lot of bottled water.  So, Ruby and I took a trip to the recycle place in Montevallo.  I know this sounds silly, but putting those in the recycling bin was satisfying. 

Monday was a day off for me and it ended up not being such a good day.  Donny was working over for someone at the station so I was looking forward to sleeping late.  I did sleep really well, but at 8:28 I woke up to the all too familiar pain.  I just couldn't move.  I was hurting and my mind was racing with feelings of WHY?!?!  I haven't hurt since July and even then I didn't hurt as bad as I was this morning.  I couldn't get comfortable, but I didn't know what to do.  The last time I hurt like this was December of 2009.  I have been so thankful that the pain from endometriosis has disappeared and as I was starting to believe that I was on the right road here comes the blow that knocks me off track.  I'm praying that it is just a fluke and that tomorrow I will feel better.  I hate everything about endometriosis.  It has taken so much from me, my life, and my husband.  It is emotional and physically draining.  I didn't even want to tell Donny this morning, but of course he knew something was wrong.  So, to say that I have enjoyed my day off is far from the truth.  I have been on the couch most of the day.  No over-the-counter medicine has touched the pain.  I'm praying for a restful night so I can be ready to teach my kiddos. 

Not a Great Start to 2011

Last night as I was finishing up my post of the past year I received a phone call to inform me that one of precious student's mom passed away suddenly.  I have several connections to the family so it has been a very difficult 24 hours to process what has happen.  I actually visited with the family for several hours today and I ask that you lift up the Jenkins' family in your prayers.  Tina will be greatly missed, but the angels rejoiced as they welcomed her into heaven last night.  Scott and Tina have two children Wes and Mae. 

I still struggle with the "reason" I had to lose my dad.  My sweet Donny often reminds me that there is a purpose.  Last night it hit me that the Lord put Wes in my classroom for a reason.  Wes and I will have a connection like no other student in my classroom...the loss of a parent.  Pray that I will be the rock the Wes needs at school and that I will follow as the Lord leads me in ministering to Wes and his family. 

2010 Recap

Wow!  2010 passed by so quickly.  It was a year packed of a lot of "stuff."   So, I will have it for the record I'm going to list in bullets and add a few pictures.

• We were so happy to see 2009 pass due to the rough year it proved to be, but for me 2010 didn't start off much better.  I was emotionally, physically, and mentally drained.  In December 2009 I returned to the doctor for my female issue and he put me on the worst medicine.  I was a moody-not-so-nice person for about 3 months.  I was called in by administration for my lack of not being a team player.  (Can we say how thankful I am that the Lord protected my job?)  Although I left in tears, they were supportive after I explained my situation: I had just lost my dad, I was in grad school, and was having health issues.  "This to shall pass" was what I had to keep telling myself.
• Mom and I set off to Atlanta to see George and Reba in concert.  That was an awesome experience.
• Cody and I decided to grow our hair out to donate for cancer patients. 
• I had to get internship hours in an elementary school so mom went with me to Mobile to visit my friend, Kerra's library over spring break.  I learned so much in just two short days. 
• Donny and I bought a new vehicle, GMC Acadia.
• I adore Beth Mo0re and she was in GA for a conference on her book So Long, Insecurity.  Mom and I left really early because it was a rainy day.  We stopped in Oxford to get a Starbucks.  The first part of the conference was wonderful and such a blessing.  After lunch we were waiting for worship to start back and I looked a my wrist and I all of sudden felt like I had been punched in the stomach.  The pearl bracelet that my dad had given me on my wedding day was gone.  I knew I had worn it.  I looked through my purse, bag, jackets, EVERYWHERE around me.  I was crying.  This sweet lady behind me asked me if she could help me.  I explained the situation and she and another lady prayed with me right there.  I told mom that I wanted to walk back to the car to see if I could find it.  It was raining all the way.  I remember I kept telling myself that "it can be replaced" and "it's just stuff."  I was trying to keep myself from completely melting down.  We didn't find it.
• I got my embroidery machine from my mom for my birthday/graduation/Christmas.
• The last weeks of school I got a huge scare with my Tammy.  It was both our tenure year.  We were both on pins and needles because we didn't know when "the day" was.  It was horrible day for me because I had to pass out yearbooks.  Of course it never goes easily.  There is always several students, "My mom paid for my yearbook."  I digress.  I was standing in the hallway and Tammy looked horrible.  I of course asked what was wrong and she said "I got the pink."  Well I start tearing up and was in total shock.  She begins to tell the story of the office calling her in to Dr. Campbell's office and how they proceed to explain how they regret to inform her that the were giving her a pink slip as she hands me a pack of PINK STICKY NOTES.  I freaked out.  It was all a joke.  I later found out that they were going to call both Tammy and I in for the joke, but decided to leave me out of the joke because Mrs. Bradshaw knew that I was having a horrible day with the yearbooks.  If they had done this to me I told them they would have had to call the rescue because I would have passed out.  But the good thing was both Tammy and I got tenure.
• The second week of June Mom, Cody, Donny, and I left for Branson for vacation. Branson was on the list of places dad wanted to go from his Bucket List. So, we went for dad. We had a blast. We stayed in the best cabin. Donny and I did a lot of shopping. The best part was Donny and I celebrated our second anniversary while in Branson.
  
  

  

  On our anniversary!



One of my favorite restaurants!





We were apart of the Dixie Stampede show!

• In July I finished my library media degree.  That was a huge relief. 
• The last week of July we had a beach trip planned with Tammy and Billy.  It almost didn't happen because Jess got put in the hospital the first part of the week.  We did get to make our trip and it was wonderful.  We ate a lot of good food and spent time with our best friends.



Our favorite place out on the beach.  This is Billy!






The dolphins gave us a free show.


• School started and the first week I knew it was going to be a LONG year.
• Donny surprised me in September with tickets to see George and Reba again!  It was as good the second time as it was the first.

Reba singing Fancy.

George Strait!  Enough said!

• I was dreading the month of October because it would mark one year without dad.  Donny and I planned a trip to Gatlinburg for a long week on the anniversary of dad going to heaven.  It was a wonderful trip.  We needed the time together and I was in Cade's Cove looking at God's creation I was reminded that the Good Lord has a perfect plan.  I can honestly say that I didn't cry.  Mandisa's song "You Wouldn't Cry for Me Today" spoke to me that week.  I knew that dad was smiling down on me and he wouldn't want me to cry.

• We went to the Auburn vs. Georgia game with a bunch of people. It was a blast! BTW Auburn went undefeated in the regular season and will be playing for the National Championship game in AZ on Jan. 10. WAR EAGLE!!
  
  

  

  Donny and I after the game while the celebration continued.





Toomer's Corner


• Thanksgiving was full of great family time and some great food.
• The first week of December Donny and I were able to attend the ALFA Annual Meeting in Mobile.  We stayed in the Riverview Hotel and I got some good sleep.  We enjoyed our time at the meeting.  I learned a lot while there.
• We had a great Christmas at my house.  Donny and Cody were off both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  We continued with the new tradition of everyone sleeping at our house and having Santa together.  Donny surprised me with another set of pearls to replace my bracelet that I lost.

• I enjoyed my Christmas break because I didn't have to worry about school of any kind.  I read, slept, and did a lot of sewing.

It was a much better year than 2009, but I can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for us.  I'm not one to make New Year Resolutions, but I am going to set some goals.

• Donny and I start every year reading through the Bible together, but as soon as summer hits we get off track.  We are going to finish the 6 months that we didn't finish last year.
• We are working on getting out of debt with a total money makeover.
• I want to record our life better with blogging.
• I am going to participate with Beth Mo0re in scripture memory this year.
• Donny says that I quit cooking this past year, so I'm going to do better with my cooking at home.
• I taking a break from FB for the month of January.  I realized I was way to addicted to it and I going to read more instead.  I'm so far behind in my reading that I'm going to catch up.
• Make it through this school year with my sanity.
• And last but not least grow closer to the Good Lord.

Happy New Year and God Bless!