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!

Christmas Break

I was in much need of this break.  My students were tired of each other and I'm sure of me.  When I didn't have to get up when that alarm clock went off this morning it was so wonderful.  Donny had to go back to work after being off for two weeks.  I had a busy day and will have a busy evening.  I had to finish my Christmas shopping, which was only two gifts.  I also had to pick up some things we needed around the house and the dreaded grocery shopping.  Now that I'm home I have to finish up some sewing for some friends, wrap presents, prepare Christmas cards, and hopefully make my sweet husband a surprise.  I'm so looking forward to Christmas.  This was always such an exciting time for our family and I plan to continue to keep it that way along with making new traditions.  Remember that Jesus is the REASON FOR THE SEASON!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!  I have so much to be thankful for.  Make sure you take time to reflect on how much the Good Lord has blessed you. 

What I'm thankful for:

• My salvation
• Grace
• My wonderful husband
• My mom
• My brother
• That my daddy is in heaven (I wish he was here with me, but I know he having a good time in heaven.)
• Our jobs that pays the bills
• Those in uniform who protect my freedom
• The roof over my head
• The comfy bed I get to sleep in every night
• Tammy and Billy
• My great friends and all of their sweet children

Enjoy the food and time with your family and friends!  It could all be taken away in an instant.

You Wouldn't Cry For Me Today- Mandisa

I miss him!

I am preparing for a huge class project over the next to weeks.  As I was working on preparing the bottle caps using a drill I remember that dad use to help me with my crazy ideas.  I've really been missing him.  I didn't blog about it, but I made it through the first year without him.  Donny treated me to a trip to the mountains.  I have to keep remembering that he is always with me, but much happier.  I still have a hard time dealing with the memories of that horrible month last year.  This is the song that carried me through the anniversary day as we were driving up to Cades Cove.  (It is the post before this one.  I couldn't get it to post correctly in this one.)


I miss you daddy!

Thankful

• Oh, how thankful I am to see the weekend.  This week has been the longest week.  I felt that Wednesday should have Friday. 
• I'm thankful that I survived the week with out snapping on one of my students because they just won't listen (not all of them, but most.)
• I'm thankful that morning duty is over for a couple of months. 
• I thankful that it is a three day weekend.
• I'm thankful that my papers are graded and lesson plans are complete.
• I'm thankful that college football is here.  WAR EAGLE!!!
• I'm thankful that I only have to drive 11 miles to work with no traffic problems.  I spent this afternoon on the north bound interstate and on 31 south in Vestavia in bumper to bumper traffic for way too long.  I'm thankful that I have a sense of directions and a navigation in my car that allowed me to take a scenic route from Vestavia to Pelham.  Mom didn't trust me.
• I'm thankful that the crazy horse, that my dad liked so much, and I are bonding.  I finally got him to eat from my hand and to touch his face.
• I'm thankful that my husband hasn't complained that our house is dirty and needs to be cleaned.  (My only project for the weekend.)
• I'm thankful that my aunt has invited us to the lake to spend the day with them on the boat.
• I'm thankful that the public hearing on the Cahaba River went well last night.  I just hope that our voice will be heard and be taken into consideration.
• I'm thankful that my sweet husband will be home this weekend.
• I'm thankful that a girl I have known most of my life (Courtney Comer Higdon) is expecting her first child in April.
• I'm thankful that I can sleep late in the morning.
• I'm thankful for my students that I had last year give me hugs daily.
• I'm thankful for the memories.
• I'm thankful for having a job.

Those are just a few things that I can think of right at the moment.  It has been a rough week at work and I needed to reflect on the things that I am thankful for to keep life in perspective.  I'm going to enjoy a relaxing weekend with my husband.