Percaya

Reasons I Love February

2012-02-13T18:20:00.000-08:00

February usually isn’t a very monumental month in the years of my life…with the exception that it holds one of my most favorite holidays: Valentine’s Day!

However, this February its going to be spectacular for three very different reasons.

Reason #1: Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and I absolutely LOVE Love Day!! I don’t even care that I’m single and will most likely spend this year’s Valentine’s Day baking and watching reruns of my favorite TV couple falling in love. Shout out to Ben and Felicity!

I love having a day where I get to boldly proclaim how much I love people. And I do love a lot of people! On Saturday I mailed out over 20 Valentine’s Day cards to friends and family. I’ll be making goodies for the teachers that I work with and there will be several phone calls, texts, and Facebook videos tomorrow to some of my most favorite people.

This day just makes me so HAPPY!

Reason #2: In about 4 days one of my newest fake nephews will be making his appearance on this earth. Jodi is set to be induced Friday morning, unless Mack comes earlier, and then I’ll be getting to Dallas this weekend to lavish my new Snugglebug with all kinds of embarrassing love. This one is even more special to me because I get to be Godmommy to this little guy…

Oh I can’t wait to meet him! I wake up every morning wondering if this will be the day and lately when I’m running and really wanting to quit I start trying to imagine his sweet little face to keep me distracted long enough to finish whatever mile I’m on.

Reason #3: On the 28^th of this month the Houston Rodeo will get kicked off. This event every year is a bittersweet one for me. The Houston Rodeo was one of my dad’s most favorite things. Even now when I’m there it feels like home because of him. Along with that, somehow several years ago he convinced my brother to start working it too. So that means in just a few weeks there will be a whole lot of this…

And as if that wasn’t good enough…this wonderful invention will make me laugh and scream a bazillion times!!

I freaking LOVE the Zipper ride! And now Bubba and I ride it once together at the Rodeo each year.

It’s gonna be a good month!

Make My Heart Happy

2012-02-05T09:18:00.000-08:00

This weekend I headed back to Dallas to help out at Chi Alpha because I had a long weekend. Last year my favorite part about Chi Alpha was watching my former “kids” come back as leaders. This year I was told that none of them would be leaders this year so I was a little saddened.

Then imagine my surprise when Friday night I was standing behind the Café and see the one and only face of Kaley Janes come walking up! I about lost it and started jumping up and down. Then as if my excitement couldn’t get any bigger she proceeds to tell me that not only is she here, but so is Millie, Ashton, Drew, Austen, Spenny, and Troy!

Then one by one that night I saw each of their faces and hugged their necks.

I ended up getting sick on Saturday night and didn’t make it back up to church that night. This morning I made myself get up and push through the pain because I knew if I made it to church I would get to see my kids again and hopefully even get a picture of us.

And seeing as how we were in the Lord’s house…man did He deliver!

These kids, and some other who weren’t there, make my heart so flippin happy.

I’ve loved them since they were sophomores in high school. I’ve cried with them, laughed until I cried with them, had hard conversations with them, prayed with them, watched them make good and not-so-good choices, and watched them grow up.

Austen and I were laughing and reminiscing this morning about the first Chi Alpha I did with them and how they slid through mayonnaise and ate a whole head of lettuce and basically did some of the dumbest things. And then I stood there and watched him fill out his forms about the boys in his group. I held back my tears of pride as I watched him.

When my eyes see one of these special people it makes me smile and scream and do a silly little dance and make me utter the words, “Seeing you makes this my best day!”

I’m so lucky to have been chosen to be their leader for several years and to get to watch firsthand as the Lord molds and shapes them and takes them on the craziest adventures.

Love these more than words!

Fun, Fun Weekend

2012-01-22T19:35:00.000-08:00

My BFF, Amy, was here visiting. She split half her time with me in Houston and half her time in Pearland visiting another friend.

This quote from Amy gives you a glimpse into just how excited she was, “I almost forgot my phone and purse tonight…I must be really excited to see you!”

We got some good quality time together and she even helped me find what I do believe will now be my favorite new restaurant down here. It’s called Pie In The Sky and if you have 4 people dining together then you get a free slice of pie.

Now if I could just find 3 people to hang out with me!!

And as if that wasn’t enough fun for the weekend, I was able to go to Dancing With The Principals on Saturday night with Andrew and his family.

We watched several people shake their stuff out on the floor to help earn some money for their campuses and then at the end of the night it was open dance floor. And an open dance floor to me equals a perfect night in my book.

Here are two Lewises who I love oh so much!!

Oh and check out my shoes…I was rocking the booties! Never thought I could pull those off, but I have fallen in love with them…fallen in love hard!

Creepy Stalker OR Thoughtful Bystander?

2012-01-17T19:36:00.000-08:00

So Sunday night when I turned onto my street I noticed a couple standing in the cute gazebo across the street. They were holding hands and kissing from time to time.

So this is what pops into my head:

“Oh my gosh…he’s about to propose to her!

How sweet!

Wouldn’t it be great if they had a picture of this moment?

I would want a picture of when I got engaged.

Oooh I have my fancy new camera in the car with me…score!

And I have the long lens…double score!”

I mean isn’t that what would go through your head if you saw a random couple standing in the middle of a gazebo?

Wouldn’t you also then pull out your camera, turn the flash off, and sit in your dark car and take pictures of the strangers from across the street?

Well that’s exactly what I did!

And what do you know…I was right! They got engaged! And I got a picture of it!!

Then you would think that I would just leave it alone…but you would be so wrong.

After he proposes they go to leave the gazebo and I quick jump out of the car and run across the street and proceed to make this statement…

“I promise I’m not a creepy stalker person, but I just saw you guys get engaged and I've been sitting in my car taking pictures of you!”

You could tell by their faces that they were a little unsure of how to take this news.

The guy, however, was really excited. The girl was a little freaked out I think.

So then I took a picture of them with the ring and exchanged e-mails so I could send them their pictures.

And of course then you would think this would be the moment when I leave them alone…again you would be wrong!

Then I proceed to stand there and ask them a ton of questions about themselves, their relationship, and the proposal.

And I don’t even stop there!

Then I keep going by explaining how I see tons of weddings at that gazebo and start giving them tips on how they could make their wedding work at the gazebo too.

I mean who the heck does that?

I have no idea why I do the things that I do sometimes...but at least now this couple can have pictures of that special moment! And every time they tell their engagement story in the years to come I'll be a part of it!

Meet the happy couple…

I also learned my lesson: make sure the image stabilizer is on when you switch lenses so your pictures aren’t blurry!

Texas Baby Shower Marathon Weekend

2012-01-16T18:46:00.000-08:00

This past weekend Michelle flew in for some baby showers…and by some I mean 3! I was lucky enough to be her chauffeur and be a part of every part of the weekend…anything to get some time with my best friend and future niece or nephew.

We started in Dallas and Friday night had a typical dinner with us four Ptown girls. There was laughter, booze, life-changing news shared, screams that summoned all other people in the restaurant to look our way, points given, attempts at speaking espanol, sex discussions, lots of restroom breaks, and even more laughter. Words can’t express how good it did me to spend that night with these ladies.

Saturday morning we started in Dallas where Michelle’s college girls and PA girls showered her and loved on her.

Dallas Shower Favorite Moment: Watching the color drain out of Michelle’s face while all her college girlfriends talked about motherhood and how having kids drastically changes your life. Then the minute we got in the car hearing Michelle say, “They were really scaring me.”

Next stop: Temple, TX…home of the DeSalvo’s!

This shower was out of control with the amount of food, ladies, and all the people that Michelle had no idea what their names were!

Temple Shower Favorite Moment: Meeting my new best friend Betsy (she’s the one on the right)

Final stop: Pasadena, TX…home of us!

This one was fun because it was filled with ladies who helped us grow up in the church and who knew us then and still for some reason love us!

Pasadena Shower Favorite Moment: Cousin Vicky passing down her maternity bras to Michelle!

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the whirlwind weekend…

Everyone kept telling me what a trooper and great friend I was to drive Michelle all around the state and go to all three showers. Little did they know that I loved every single minute of it and there is nowhere else I would have rather been this weekend than right beside her.

It was crazy to tell her good-bye last night and know that the next time I see her Blueberry will be a living, screaming, bundle of joy in my arms!! Sometimes I have to stop myself from thinking about that moment because I literally can’t control my excitement and I get extremely impatient.

Just two more months!

Howdy Alabama

2012-01-09T20:43:00.000-08:00

A little interesting fact about me: I LOVE Alabama football…and got a little crush going on the entire state too. This is funny to me for several reasons…

I was conceived in Texas.

I was born in Texas.

I grew up in Texas.

I went to college in Texas.

I got my first job in Texas.

I currently reside in Texas.

28 out of the 29 years of my life, I’ve lived in Texas.

So it makes me laugh how on Saturday my hometown football team, the Texans, had a really big game and even won and yet I was all, “Yeah, I mean that’s cool. What was the final score anyways?”

But when Alabama is set to play in the National Championship game against the one team that beat them this year…you better believe I was ready.

I came home from my run, put my Alabama shirt on, sat down with a glass of sweet tea, and got comfy on the couch to cheer on my team. I was kinda nervous because I wanted them to win so badly, but recently I’ve noticed that when I really want something I always think it won’t happen. So as I snuggled up on the couch I was half part giddy with excitement and half part a nervous wreck.

But then it was half time and we were up 9 to 0!! Oh how I feared what kind of amazing pep talk Les Miles would give LSU and cause them to come out guns blazing in the second half. But here I sit with just seconds left in the 3^rd quarter and we’re up 15-0!

4^th quarter and we scored a real touchdown…21-0!

And now…WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am one excited Alabama lovin’ Texas gal!

I will admit though that it is always a little sad when they pan across the losing team when everyone starts to realize that they have no hope left in this game. It makes me feel so bad for them. I hate to see the sadness when other teams lose…well there is that one team that I could watch lose over and over again!

Here I am cheering with all the Alabama fans all the way in Houston. Sure, my head is cut off from the picture…but that’s what happens when you live alone!

Roll Tide!

A Living Alone First

2012-01-08T18:30:00.000-08:00

Almost every other week I buy a thing of milk and never once since living on my own have I finished it before it expired. I always have good intentions to start eating more cereal in the morning rather than stopping somewhere for a not-so-healthy, but oh-so-delicious fast food breakfast. However, as it turns out I'm not that good at achieving my goals.

But not this week! This week I dominated that jug of milk and even had 4 days to spare!!!

I haven’t yet decided just how sad it is that I’m so excited about this.

A New Chapter

2012-01-04T16:55:00.000-08:00

I feel as though I’m constantly wrestling with the Lord over who will control the pen that writes my life. I love control and I really like the drafts that I come up with, but over and over again I’m made aware of how crappy my chapters are when held up against His version.

In so many ways my life at 29 isn’t at all how I envisioned it…and yet there are many, many ways that God’s version blew mine out of the water.

I could have never dreamt up living in Indonesia for a year

Being named District Teacher of the Year and consequently walking on the Texas Ranger’s field and shaking Nolan Ryan’s hand

Living in a kick ass house with some of the most amazing girls…some of whom are now my best friends

Being the proud fake aunt to 14 kids…soon to be 18

Getting to take an entire year off from work to travel and do whatever I wanted

Traveling to 5 out of the 7 continents in my 20’s

And that’s just to name a few!

Now it feels as though the Lord is inking up His pen and crafting a new and exciting chapter in my life that I couldn’t have dreamed up even if I tried.

In the Fall I started the process of becoming a foster parent. Taking care of children has always been a passion of mine. Then after my time spent in Uganda, my heart began to hurt for orphans and children in need. I remember holding Richard, a super sick little baby, and crying because he didn’t have a mother to rock him to sleep or hold him while he cried. All children deserve that…it’s their right. And yet there are TOO MANY kids in the world and even in my city who don’t have that which we’ve all too often taken for granted.

So as I moved to Houston I had plans to pursue foster care and see what the Lord did. It’s been a slow process…up until now!

Last night I had my first of ten required classes. They talked about the timeline in finishing up this process and all of a sudden I could see the end in sight!

If all goes well, there’s a chance that in April or May I could be a foster parent!

When I think about it I feel excited, anxious, nervous, overwhelmed, joyful, hopeful, impatient, scared, silly, inadequate, and filled with love…all at the same time.

Michelle even informed me this weekend that I’m “nesting” because I’ve started getting my spare bedroom ready by moving furniture, cleaning out closets and drawers to make room, and filling the room with all things kid!

I have no idea what this chapter in my life will look like or even how long it will be. Or what characters will be a part of it. Or how it will end. Or how it will lead into the next chapter. I do know that God has the pen and I’ll wait do my best to wait and see how He writes it.

I mean come on…wouldn’t this girl make a great mom?

High / Low

2012-01-02T18:19:00.001-08:00

My high for the day:

I went to Chick Fil A to get breakfast…which surprisingly enough isn’t my high. The high was that after I ordered the lady repeated back my order and then said, “I love you. A woman who comes to the drive thru and knows exactly what she wants. You are my favorite customer!”

My low for the day:

Today I realized that the kinda pricey and super cute baby shower invitations I ordered for Michelle’s shower somehow got sent to the first house I lived in…in PLANO!!! I still haven’t quite figured out how that happened. So then I went running around town going to different stores trying to find some invites that I could just print out because they need to go out in the mail tomorrow. Then once I found some I had to hand feed all 40 of them through the printer. And then I tried to use a paper towel to seal the envelopes, but they were too cheap so that didn’t work. I had to lick all 35 of them myself!

A Tradition Continues

2012-01-01T15:05:00.000-08:00

Seven years ago Michelle and I rushed out of a New Year’s party with some high school friends, grabbed some booze, and pulled into a random parking lot to ring in the new year together. We were quite the sight that night with our dancing in the parking lot, falling down whilst trying to throw away our trash, blaring out Mariah Carey’s new “Emancipation of Mimi” album, and shouting obscenities to 2005 because we felt it had screwed us.

That one night sparked a tradition that has carried on through the years with Michelle and I. Usually we’re not together on the actual night of New Year’s, but this year we were. So we grabbed my ipod stand, the video camera, a Dr. Pepper for Michelle and headed out to a nearby gazebo to dance, make our annual video, and state our goals for 2012.

This year’s theme though seemed to be “Technical Difficulties.” We went through two locations, two camera batteries, one failed phone call, and three dvd discs and even still most of the video was either blurry or had bad lighting.

Nonetheless our goals have been stated and recorded, a few bombs were dropped, there was a guest appearance from Daniel in DC, and we have made a pact that no one is to ever watch the video from last night except the two of us.

2011 wasn’t necessarily the best year for my family. It seemed as though we kept finding ourselves at funerals…and in the family section as well. Those memories don’t really make you look back on that year with fondness. To this day, I still cringe whenever I hear people talk about 2008.

So here’s to hoping that 2012 will kick some 2011 ass! And if tears are to fall, they will be more of the happy kind.

I know for a fact that there are four things that are already helping 2012 accomplish that goal. Nothing makes my heart happier than babies and I already know of FOUR babies being born this year to some of my sweetest friends. One of which I get to be a Godmommy to!

So 2012…bring it on!

Proud Little Sis

2011-12-29T15:10:00.000-08:00

One thing that makes me laugh about my brother is that he reads my blog. And the reason I know this is because whenever we talk he always manages to find someway to quote something from my blog and uses it in normal conversation to see if I’ll notice. I laugh every.single.time.

I shouldn’t have been surprised a few weeks ago when he quoted my blog and then informed me that he was going to create a blog too and that he was going to call it a “Rebuttal To Percaya” which is funny because I rarely say anything about him that he would need to rebut.

I wasn’t too sure if he would actually follow through with this or not…but believe it or not he did! So with no further adieu I give you…

A Rebuttal To Percaya

My brother is two and half years clean and sober. He is a supervisor at a rehab facility and even owns his own halfway house for guys just out of rehab called The Haston House.

I’m proud of him for all those things, but his first post just reminded me of yet another reason I’m proud of him. I love that he gets frustrated at people who just clean and don’t make any other changes in their life. I’m proud because he wants to do something better with his life. I’m proud of the man he’s turned into.

Love you Bubba!

A Lot Can Happen In A Year

2011-12-24T21:43:00.000-08:00

When you think of one year, it doesn’t seem all that long. However, so much can happen and change in just 365 days.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2010

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service 2011

Last year the four of us got to read the scripture verses at the Candlelight service, which I’d been begging to do for years. It’s crazy to think that we had no idea it would be Mark’s last Christmas with us.

Just last night mom was talking about Mark and I started crying and posed the question, “Don’t you ever just think this isn’t how life was supposed to turn out?”

I never imagined I’d only have 25 Christmases with my dad. Mom shouldn’t have to sit through the Candlelight service fighting back tears. She shouldn’t have had to bury both her husbands. These and so many other things were never as I had imagined or hoped would be a part of my life.

Then tonight as I sat through the service we were singing and it struck me that Mary may have had those same thoughts at one point. I’m sure she never imagined being the girl who became pregnant before being married. I bet she never dreamed as a little girl that she would deliver her first child in a stable.

However, it didn’t take her long to realize that by allowing her life to be written by the Lord, how much truly greater it would be. The Lord showed her firsthand that when He writes the story it ends up being far more amazing than she could have ever dreamed up.

I needed that reminder tonight.

Because this isn’t how I would have written my story. If I was in charge my dad and Mark would still be here and we would be having our Christmas celebrations just like we’ve always done in the years past. If I was allowed to write it, I would have ridden to church with my handsome, funny, Jesus lovin’ husband while we dreamed of the children we would adopt in the coming years.

Mary’s story turned out to be one of the most incredible stories and with the hope of the world being formed in her tummy. All that came from trusting the Lord with the pen.

I struggle quite frequently with trusting the Lord. However, I’m thankful tonight for the reminder that God is up to something amazing in my life, even when it’s not looking like how I envisioned it.

So while our picture this year looks much different than last years…who knows how it will change in just another 365 years!

On another note, a few funny things to mention…

1. Dr. Lyles came to light my candle for our row and I somehow managed to extinguish the flame on his Jesus candle.

2. Mom mentioned that the raising of the candle during “Silent Night” was always Mark’s favorite part because he would try to raise his candle as high as he could. So when it came time for us to raise our candles, Clay and I both tried to raise them as high as we could. Which resulted in Clay whispering, “Mine’s higher!” and mom and I trying to silence our giggles…which only made us laugh harder.

3. If you look closely, Debo is wearing the same shirt in 2010 and 2011.

Christmas in the Big D

2011-12-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

I just got back from spending a few days in Dallas doing Christmas with my friends and family up there. It was a quick trip, but a good one!

My first night there Cobb and I went to the Crawford’s for dinner, presents, and a big surprise from them. We ate some yummy homemade taco soup and then dove into presents and surprises.

Wyatt went first! He went from excitement to disappointment to excited again. You see all the kids in my life get a Christmas book every year from me at Christmas. He’s too young yet to have caught on to this pattern so when he saw the gift I’m sure his imagination ran wild with all the amazing present possibilities that could be inside that wrapped package. He opened with a smile…

Even turned a few pages with a smile…

And then got mad and threw the book. You can still see his disdain when it was Cobb and Jodi’s turn to open their presents…

But then when he saw that they both got journals, or books in his mind, he got excited about his and asked his mommy to read him his book.

Then it was time for the surprise! Wyatt ran to get our gifts and delivered them to Cobb and I. It was clearly a written note wrapped in tissue paper, but I still had no clue what it said. But oh the tears started flowing when I began to read these words…

Cobb and I get to be Godmommies to this new precious Crawford baby named Mack. Oh I can’t wait to meet him, snuggle with him, and love him!

Tuesday afternoon I headed over to Rachel’s house to catch up and deliver presents to the boys. They knew what they were getting, so there was no worry of disappointment there. They were actually even a little excited because both boys got books that they’d seen at the book store already!

That night I went with Cobb while she did some Christmas shopping. She likes to just go to stores and walk around to see if she finds something for someone rather than making a list and a plan. Reason #74 why she and I are different. I tagged along though and did my best to ~~make fun of~~ help her with her list.

Whilst on the way home she sees the movie theater and quickly exits the highway and yells, “Let’s go see a movie! Look at me being adventurous!” I didn’t realize this was what makes one adventurous…

In the end, we decided that wasn’t a good idea because we had a whole season of Big Love to get through in just 2 more days. So we grabbed dinner and went home to watch 3 episodes of our favorite show.

Oh and here is Cobb’s excitement when she thinks that for once in her life she will beat me in an argument. It looks much similar to her, “I’m an adventurous kind of woman” face too!

The next night we headed over to the Joneses for family Christmas with them. Even Clark’s girlfriend, Amy, was there too. We had the most delicious home cooked meal from Susan and then opened presents. I was so excited to give my gifts…especially Clark’s!

Then it was Cobb’s turn. She likes to pose…

And then mine from my parents…

And from my brother…

And then time for family photos…

Along with all those great things I was able to spend time sitting in the living room catching up with Jenni the B, laughed and laughed with Cobb and the Crawfords whilst we watched an insanely inappropriate and hilarious movie, drove Kate to the airport, had a 2 hour lunch with my BFF Amy, babysat my Lovebug, stayed up talking for two hours with Jodi and Andrew, had coffee with Kay, made a surprise appearance at Moolay and Adrienne’s engagement party where I laughed nonstop with Tasha, ran into a parent of a former student, and laughed continuously with Cobb.

In my life I deem success by how much personal interaction I get with people that I love. Therefore, this week was truly a success!

What's Been Happening Lately

2011-12-18T14:14:00.000-08:00

Wow…it feels like I just wrote about Dad’s three year anniversary and now its nearing Christmas! So many great things have happened recently, but since I haven’t written about a single one of them it looks like I’ll be retelling them with my ever-so-loved bulleted lists:

· Every last Wednesday of the month is Wacky Wednesday at school where teachers and kids can pay a $1 to dress up in whatever the theme is. November 30^th was “Super Hero” day! So what do Stephanie and I do? Dress up as Ninja Turtles…

· After a week in Dallas it only made sense to make the 4 hour drive back to Dallas just 6 days later! I was able to make an appearance at a Girl Scout Meeting “Hoe Down” where we dressed and sang like country bumpkins…

· Then I got to be a part of celebrating Jodi and sweet baby Mack who should be making his arrival in just about 2 months. It was a “Little Man” theme so it was a giant mustache fest…

· Oh and I almost forgot! When Kate and Cobb picked me up from the Girl Scout meeting there was a special surprise waiting for me in the back seat! Jeni the B…

· That Saturday night I met up with the Pacheco’s for our Annual Red Lobster Christmas dinner. This is our 6^th year to carry on this tradition. We all go eat Red Lobster together and then head home to the Pacheco’s to open presents with the kids. The boys have now figured out that Aunt Christy only gives books. Luckily Emily gives them little pep talks each time before so they don’t show too much disappointment when they open them up and don’t find toys…

· The weekend after that I headed to Belton to have another Christmas tradition. Cp, Parkhurst, and I always have a gift exchange. This year we exchanged books…which ended up being a better idea than a reality. However, everyone left with books they were excited about. Sadly CP has all the pictures of us. The only thing I have is pictures of Noah opening his gift from me…

· Monday, December 12^th my family went to dinner to celebrate my grandparent’s 54^th wedding anniversary. Debo thought it would be funny to give them 54 one dollar bills. Here is Granny with all her bills…

· Thursday was my last day of school before break and I decided to make treats for the teachers that I specifically work with. Here is what they ended up with…

· That day was also the day that Cat and I exchanged gifts. I got her a “Boss Lady” coin purse and she made me this very interesting hippo tank top…

Then all day long everytime Patti would see me she would giggle and say, “Your day is about to get so much better!” and I couldn’t quite figure out what that meant. Until Cat walked in with a hippo pillow pet for me that the tank top was actually for! She made me walk around all day wearing a tank top that was intended for a stuffed animal the whole time…

· Also that day a friend of mine texted me saying that she is PREGNANT with their second child!!!! There is nothing I love more than finding out I can be expecting a new little love in my life! However, I can’t reveal yet who is knocked up!

And now after that update everything is right in the world again! And by that I mean…I am back in Dallas for Christmas with my friends!!!!

Three Years

2011-11-26T21:33:00.000-08:00

It still blows my mind to think that its been three whole years since I got the call saying my dad was gone. It’s crazy how three years can seem like forever and like no time has passed at all at the same time.

The past two anniversaries I’ve been out of the country and this year I was right back where I started…Pasadena. Every anniversary has been different in some way. This year I woke up and, like usual, knew immediately what today was. However, I didn’t wallow in it all day.

I lounged around this morning with my mom. Did a Wal-Mart run with Clay where we laughed and laughed. Played and played with my niece and nephew, Bella and Mason.

I was always aware of what today was and smiled everytime I got a text message from a friend who wrote to say they loved me, were thinking about me, and praying for me. How loved I feel when even after three years its not just me who remembers.

Just 40 more minutes until Year Four begins.

Dear Dad,

I miss you so much. Sometimes I can see your face in my head and am suddenly crying. I went to the cemetery yesterday and sat by your grave. I tried so hard to stare at the pastures and make you appear. I wanted so desperately to see your face or hear your voice. I’d give anything to have you back. You would love having me back home again. I work so close to your house. You’d laugh at all my pictures of my funny outfits for school. You could help me fix my record player and tell me old stories about where your records all came from. Oh and you would be so proud of Clay and what he’s doing! I miss you so much and love you even more.

Love,

Your Daughter

Dear Father,

I miss my daddy so much. I know he’s with you and I can’t thank you enough for that. I was reminded yesterday that my dad is now no longer in pain and that’s because you healed him and made him new. Thank you for not letting him hurt. Thank you for getting me to a new place this year. Thank you for letting me get angry and yell at you at times and never holding it against me. Thank you for understanding my pain and being patient with me. You are good and I love you.

Love,

Your Daughter

PS. My heart hurts so much for Jodi and the loss of her sweet baby Luke and for Laura and the loss of her precious mother both this week. Hold them in your arms the way you’ve held me and remind them of your goodness and grace.

Best Week EVER

2011-11-25T21:13:00.000-08:00

I’m sure I probably say that a lot, but this week was the most recent time that statement was made true in my life.

I got the whole week off from school for the Thanksgiving holiday (thank you Jesus!) and decided the best way to spend it would be in Dallas. Ever since Dad passed away at Thanksgiving this holiday isn’t so much on my favorite list anymore. Plus I just tend to remember him better when I’m not in Pasadena. So while I dodged a lot of strange looks when telling people I would be going away from my family for the holiday, I knew it was the right thing for me.

Every day was jam packed full of friends and catching up…just how I like it!

Sunday: Church. Lunch with Dallas parents, Eddie and Susan, and Cobb. Lovebug’s 3^rd birthday party. Dinner, chatting, and lounging with my 1^st grade girls.

Monday: Coffee date with my old principal and friend Rachel and her precious 6 week old son, Tate. Lunch and overseas researching with Amy. Quick visit with Mindy and this cutie:

Dinner and Big Love marathon with my wife, Cobb. Laughing and goofing off with Kate and her new beau, Sully.

Tuesday: Got my oil changed. Visited with Kate. Lunch with Kate and Cobb. Christmas shopping. Dinner with the Heights gang. Twilight movie with these lovely ladies: (And yes we’re all wearing matching jackets because that’s how we like it!)

Visiting until past 1am with Kathryn and Steve.

Wednesday: Got my fingerprints done. Lunch with E and these three loves of my life:

1^st Thanksgiving dinner with Rachel and her in-laws. Late night visit with my Kaley J and Ashton.

Thursday: Overslept. 2^nd Thanksgiving lunch with the Crawfords over at Andrew’s parent’s house. Baking. Movie with Kaley J.

Friday: Chick Fil A breakfast. Packing. Phone call with Michelle and Daniel. 3^rd Thanksgiving lunch with the Crawfords and Jodi’s side of the family. Long drive home to Houston. Wal-Mart run with mom and Bubba. Movie with mom.

Even with all that…I still didn’t get to see everyone! It’s a good thing in just 3 weeks I’ll be back for another week at Christmas time.

I’m so thankful for my time up there and to be surrounded with the people who know me and love me and know how to really love me well during this week.

Tomorrow marks three years and it is still just as surreal as it was in 2008!

Little Christys

2011-11-16T16:11:00.000-08:00

I’ve always wondered if I ever really make a difference in the lives of some of my students. I know they all learned to read, add and subtract, but did I really teach them anything about loving others or caring about the world around them?

I got an e-mail this week from a parent of a former student. She works with the Girl Scout troop that I help teach sometimes back home in Dallas. Apparently the girls had to work on a timeline of their life…of what they want to do and accomplish before their mid 20’s. Here is what I got to read today…

Also, remind me to show you some of the girls' timelines they made. For this one Brownie patch, they had to make a timeline of their lives from now until age 20 -25 or so. They are so precious, and some of them will make you laugh! I want you to see them because you can tell that you have had influence on them because one has mentioned that at age 24, she wants to go to Uganda to help kids (she spelled it "Yugonda".) Another said at age 23, she wanted to travel to poor countries. Two have said they want to travel around the world. One of them said they want to be "teacher of the year".

I guess I made a difference after all! Love this!

To Cuss or Not To Cuss

2011-11-15T15:51:00.000-08:00

Throughout my life I’ve had a love/hate relationship with cuss words. I’m pretty sure I was that kid in elementary school who knew all the cuss words and would use them from time to time because let’s be honest…Haston parents in the beginning years didn’t make the best choices around their kids. But lucky for them I was a goody two shoes and never would say them for fear I would get a conduct mark which in my eyes meant you were going straight to hell…oops cussing already!

Then I remember being in sixth grade and cussing like a sailor. And I honestly have absolutely no idea why! But man do I remember cussing all the time and even using the “F” word!!

Well then I met good ol’ Jesus and became a Super Christian for several years. You know what I’m talking about. Super Christians think everything is bad and judge others for doing them. I could have won a medal in Super Christian Olympics. I would never have said a cuss word because that was awful and shameful. I even remember arguing with Michelle because for some reason she thought the word bastard was not a cuss word and a perfectly okay word to use in conversation! I, of course, would just go home and pray for her.

My senior year of college I really began to think about what I believed and why. I asked a lot of questions and searched a lot of scripture. I determined that most of the things I believed were truth, but became aware of a few things that I had believed were bad but more on the basis because someone said they were rather than me learning it from scripture.

After a few years of starting to own my faith and growing up, I began to view cussing differently. I realized that its not so much the word, but the meaning and feelings behind them. For example me saying, “Oh shit!” when I drop something is exactly the same as old Super Christian me saying, “Oh shoot!” I meant the same thing both times. It’s just somehow in our history those certain words have been deemed bad by society.

So today if you know me well you know that I don’t mind cuss words all that much. I will be honest and admit that there are times when I find that they are becoming too much a big part of my vocabulary and I need to be careful so that they don’t slip out at the wrong time. For while I don’t necessarily think anything is evil about them, I realize I live in a world where you can’t just use them at any time you want.

My favorite thing to do though is to use a cuss word around Debo because she still gets that “Oh my gosh, Christy just cussed!” look on her face…she’s having a hard time letting go of her Super Christian Christy.

Oh and if you’re ever riding in the car with me and we pass someone driving whilst smoking do not be alarmed because I will for sure yell out, “Smoke it up Bitch!” And I haven’t decided whether its good or bad that Cobb now does the same thing.

With all that said, I still hate the F word. I mean HATE it! I won’t even bring myself to say it in my mind when I’m reading silently to myself. I see it and in my head automatically replaces it by just reading “F” and then going on.

All that to say, I’m noticing lately that there are several times that I really, really want to say that word.

Things That Make Me Want To Say the F Word:

1. When my ipod sounds all staticky because Houston has the most awful stations

2. When I can’t get the lid off the new pickle jar

3. When I’m exiting onto I10 and everyone and their dog wait until the last possible moment to get on the off ramp

If you notice 2 out of the 3 have to do with living in Houston. Those were never issues when I had a Dallas zipcode. I’m just sayin’!

So I may let the cuss words flow without a second thought, but that F word is still staying locked up. No promises though if this time next year I’m still living in Htown!

A Special Visitor

2011-11-08T18:56:00.000-08:00

I had some very important visitors two weekends ago…the DeSalvo’s!!!

I was bursting at the seams with excitement waiting for them to get here. On that Thursday I started the countdown about 12 hours before they were to arrive at the airport. I was watching Game 6 of the World Series and couldn’t sit still because I just wanted them to get here already.

Now I see them a lot and talk to them even more, so why was I so excited this time? Well that’s because this time not only were there 2 DeSalvo’s coming to see me…but THREE of them! And this was the first time I was going to introduce myself to the third! And now that we’ve been officially introduced I’d like you to meet the newest soon-to-be DeSalvo…

This is Blueberry…

That’s right…Michelle is pregnant with my future niece or nephew! She’s due in mid-March, but we’re still waiting to see whether or not I can shop for blues or pinks.

I fell in love the minute Daniel texted me a picture of the pee stick that made Michelle’s pregnancy official. I wait anxiously each month to get an update after she goes to the doctor on how the little Blueberry is doing. My mind constantly thinks about what great little things I can get for it or make for it so that it will never doubt how much Aunt Christy loves it.

So as soon as I got to the airport I rushed up to hug Michelle and Daniel and then immediately bent down to introduce myself to my Blueberry. Oh her bump is so stinkin cute and I love that there is a little life crafted by my God’s perfect hands growing inside of her. Oh I just can’t wait to meet him or her!

There were times when they were here that I would just sit and talk to her with my hand on her belly. I’m going to love that Blueberry oh so much!

Right now I’m just going to have to be patient until Christmas when Michelle, Blueberry, and I can hang out again!

There’s nothing I love more than babies so Michelle…thanks for giving me yet another one! And one that I’m going to spoil like crazy and lavish and lavish with love!

Austin Trip

2011-11-08T18:43:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I had to go to a conference for Texas schools at our state’s cap with some of the girls that I worked with. I’ll be honest and admit that I wasn’t that excited about it. I had a lot to get done around home because I had some special visitors coming in a few days and I just wasn’t quite sure what a road trip and overnight trip with the girls I work with would be like. Don’t get me wrong…I love them to death, but you road trips and overnights take friendships to a whole new level.

As usual, when I have low expectations…I’m always pleasantly surprised!

We laughed, ate good food, learned TONS, laughed some more, and I even squeezed in a 2 hour nap one day.

Here is Stephanie and I at dinner the second night. Stephanie and I constantly keep each other laughing at work and show our love for one another by affectionately referring to each other has “hoe” and “hooch”!

However, the best part….meeting up with some very important people in my life.

Jenn came and met us for dinner the first night. I love that she went out of her way to come and spend time with me and my work friends. We caught up on life and I worked out my ab muscles listening to her tell stories from her life. Love my Jenn!

Then the next day I got a hold of Parkhurst who also lives in Austin. She randomly was hanging out with Pankratz who was in town visiting from Oklahoma. They swung by for a quick 20 minute chit chat on the sidewalk outside the Austin Convention Center. We had just enough time for a few hugs, quick life stories, laughs, and a picture. Love these two!

Thanks Austin for showing me never to underestimate you!

Home, Sweet Dallas

2011-11-01T20:20:00.000-07:00

It’s been about a month since I last visited Dallas and I was starting to have withdrawals. So last weekend I headed north to my second home!

I was so excited that I started packing on Wednesday night. I wanted to be able to leave right after work on Friday and knew Thursday night would be busy.

This is so pathetic, but Friday morning as I was driving to work I was getting teary eyes thinking about going to Dallas. I was just so beyond excited that it was coming out in the form of tears. Then I had to sit in a math training all day! It was a great training, but it took everything in me to not watch the clock and count down the hours. About 15 minutes before it was supposed to end I got all my stuff together and was just waiting to hear these magic words, “Well that’s all we have for you today. Have a great weekend!”

The minute that last word was uttered, I jumped up, put my bag over my shoulder and sprinted to my car. I rushed to my grandparents to change clothes and yelled a quick, “I love you!” to Granny on my way back out the door.

I was so pumped and knew in just 4 hours I would be home again. That is until I got stuck like this for the first hour and a half of the trip.

I kept gripping the steering wheel wishing away the traffic. Then anytime it would clear up my speedometer magically jumped up to 80 or 85 miles per hour…not sure how that happened!

Having a speedometer with a mind of its own like that really helped because I saw this beautiful picture just under 4 hours after leaving Houston.

I was home! Oh my goodness it felt so good to be driving up 75! I sound so silly, but I don’t care!

I went straight to Amy’s apartment and stayed for 5 hours laying on the living room floor and catching up on anything and everything with my BFF.

I went home to my house without anyone home. Kate and Cobb were both out of town, but even so it was so nice to open the door with a key on my key ring and seeing my mail on the table.

Saturday I headed to the Crawford’s because we all went to a friend’s house to watch A&M thankfully beat Baylor. Gosh I hate Baylor and that just made an already great weekend even better!

When we got home Wyatt did some showing off!

He showed off his Aggie pride…

How cute he looks in real life little boy baseball pants…

And what a great couple my Lovebug and I make…

That night Jodi, Cobb, and I went to have a girl’s dinner at Red Lobster…mine and Jodi’s favorite! I later fell asleep on the couch at the Crawford’s while we all watched Rangers win and secure their spot in the World Series.

Sunday was extremely special because almost all of my “kids” from the Heights were home from college and I got to hug their necks. I also was able to get my picture taken for the first time with Jodi and my new Snugglebug.

Then off to lunch with my Dallas parents, Eddie and Susan! I love those two and all their words of wisdom. I’m blessed beyond belief with the amount of people who love me like their own!

I raced home and helped Cobb with some “internet” things and then hugged her good-bye and headed back to Houston.

Spending time with the people that I love just re-energizes me for some reason. It breathes life into me. This weekend was just what I needed and hopefully it will hold me over until I head back for Thanksgiving in a month.

This Is What Happens When You Pray For Rain

2011-10-11T19:11:00.000-07:00

Everyone in Texas has been praying for months for it to rain. We’ve prayed and prayed and prayed and no rain. God teased us a few times with a few drizzles in the past month, but I think that was just the opening act.

After all those prayers God finally delivered this past Sunday. And by delivered I mean…thunderstorms and constant downpours for almost 24 hours. It was glorious! I left church, grabbed some lunch, and then went straight home and camped out on the couch in front of the TV. I’ve always loved Sunday afternoons on the couch, but every once in awhile you get lucky and you get a Sunday nap where you’re lulled to sleep by the sound of rain pounding the windows.

Once all the thankfulness of the rain wore off, I got a text message from my principal saying that our whole school was leaking and it was a mess. I thought, “It won’t be that bad.” And then I showed up Monday morning to this…

And what really made it worse was that a bunch of my personal picture books were soaked…with the nasty brown water that fell through the roof, all the insulation, and then through the forever old ceiling tiles.

So now this is what my books look like…

They were supposed to shampoo the carpets and air everything out last night so it would be better today. However, there was miscommunication and someone turned the air off in our room so all that nasty wet carpet sat all night and you can imagine the awful mildew smell I walked into today.

Here’s to hoping tomorrow will be better!

Never Say Never

2011-10-09T13:19:00.000-07:00

Haven’t you always heard people say that saying before? I have and always thought “Yeah, yeah, well that won’t be the case with me!” That’s because I’m my Grandad’s granddaughter and overflow with stubbornness.

I hate to be wrong, but God seems to like being in the business of proving me wrong. In the past couple of years here are some things that came out of my mouth multiple times…

1. I will NEVER live by myself.

2. After a year off, I will NOT go back to teaching.

3. You better believe I will NEVER EVER move back home to Houston.

So guess what?

I am now a teacher, living by myself in Houston!

I have now learned to think before I speak and be careful not to ever say, “I’ll never…” because it seems God takes that as a challenge to show me who is really boss.

Now, I wonder what will happen if I start saying, “I’m NEVER getting married!”

Come on God…prove me wrong!!

Crazy Little League Parents

2011-06-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Bubba and I lived 1/3 of our lives playing in the neighborhood, 1/3 roaming the pastures in Leona, and 1/3 learning the ins and outs of the Little League baseball fields at Strawberry Park in Pasadena.

Dad loved coaching baseball when we were little. He coached Clay on the Baracudas, where I was hands down the cutest Bat Girl ever! Or at least that’s what my daddy told me!

Then he coached Clay on the Chiefs, where I also was the cutest little Bat Girl for a second year!

Then Clay moved up to machine pitch and I started my award winning career in tee-ball as the only girl on the Chiefs team.

I remember watching my dad and the other dad coaches get so into the games and so heated up if they didn’t like the call…or if I chased a runner from 2^nd base to homeplate trying to tag him only for him to beat me and score the winning run.

Parents get so into those Little League games. Of course I just assumed that it was my parents and have always prided myself on how I would never be one of "those" parents. I would be the mom who encouraged win or lose and focus more on the having fun part rather than the competition. I would never raise my voice and yell against another child or per say against another adult.

However, that all changed this past Monday!

One of my fake nephews, Braxton, had his first season of playing coach pitch Little League for the Tampa Bay Rays.

His team had made it to the finals and were having potentially their last or best game to date on Monday. So, of course, I went out to support them along with his mom Kathryn.

I was cracking up at the beginning because Kathryn yelled the entire game and was totally playing the part of “Crazy Baseball Mom”!! However, it was extremely warranted because the Rays were in the lead and beating the undefeated team the entire game.

I thought I would make a few claps, yell some encouraging words, jump up occasionally when Braxton got a hit, but nothing more.

That is until the last inning when the other team were on the verge of making a comeback and stealing the win from us. Then it only made matters worse that when the other team was up to bat one of their coaches came over to our side and started coaching the batters through the fence. He continued said cheating even after not one, but two umpires told him to cut it out.

Well the inner “Crazy Baseball Mom” in me totally came out! I stood up, marched over to that coach, stood right beside him, and every time he tried to give his batter pointers, I would yell/scream at the top of my lungs for the Rays! The batters never got to hear another word he was saying!

Sadly, the cheating team ended up winning and our boys held their heads high as their coach told them how proud he was of them and passed out a super cool trophy!

I’m not quite sure my children will be able to play Little League after how I behaved this past Monday.

Way to Go Braxton and the Rays!!!

Christy In Charge

2011-06-08T13:50:00.000-07:00

So last week I was in charge of Ellie Jane and Wyatt all day everyday! It was quite the switch going from a single, unemployed gal with absolutely no responsibility to being in charge of two 2 year olds for 8 hours every day.

Rather than blah, blah, blah about the week with my long-winded ways, I’ll just show you some highlights from the week!

Playing in the “pool” in the backyard…

Getting texts from Jodi about Wyatt’s version of what we did that day…

Enjoying some "me" time when the kids would go down for their nap...

Watching Ellie get so excited to catch “wolly pollys” in her new bug catcher, only to find that she killed every single one in the process…

Playing with chalk and making cute notes to a certain Someone Special when I should have been watching the kids…

Watching Wyatt collect bugs and not kill them…

Kids eating popsicles in the blistering heat…

Watching Wyatt throw a fit when his popsicle got taken away for not listening! But look at that little butt crack of his! Too stinkin’ cute!

Finding Ellie after she poured out almost an entire bottle of baby powder all over herself and the floor (luckily we were at her house then!!)

It was a great week with these two! I love them so, so much!

However, I think I might enjoy this no responsibility thing for just a little bit longer though!

Who Needs A Man

2011-06-08T13:36:00.000-07:00

Several years ago I randomly mentioned at Thanksgiving to my aunt that I wanted a power drill for Christmas. Lo and behold she told my Granny and Grandad and imagine my surprise when that is what I unwrapped from my grandparents that Christmas Eve!

The best part is that they were worried that I had made that comment as a joke so they also got me a really big Target gift card in case I didn’t like the drill.

Imagine their surprise when I ripped open the paper and immediately started screaming like a 5 year old who just unwrapped Barbie’s mansion!

I like to pretend quite frequently that I don’t need anyone’s help to do things…especially of all a man. And at the time I’d been moving around a lot and had to keep hanging and unhanging things at my places and wanted my own drill to make the whole process easier and not have to borrow from any of the men in my life.

The drill was the perfect gift!

I love having tools and feeling like I can do things manly without the help of a man. Before you start lecturing me on letting others in and how being Miss Independent won’t fly when I’m married…please trust me when I say that I realize that is something I’m going to have to get past if I ever want to have a husband. I’m working on it!

Well so one of my goals for this Year of Jubilee was to build something. I had grand plans of building some sort of a shelf that would hold all of my dad’s old records.

However, I never got around to it this year. Being unemployed was way more time consuming than one would have thought!

Instead I decided if I can’t build something, then I’ll stain something. That will surely make me feel manly and give me the joy of doing something with my hands.

I have 2 bookshelves that my Grandad made me for my classroom a couple of years ago, but they were that light colored wood…but amazing by the way! I really wanted them to be a nice dark wood though.

So two weekends ago Andrew and I headed over to Lowe’s and got me all the necessities.

Then last Sunday I put on my bathing suit so I could get a tan while I did my manly activity and rounded up all my supplies…(and yes a Sonic drink is a necessary supply)

Here is the before…

And the after…

And then to make it extra special we bought some of that polyurethane crap to make it nice and shiny and professional looking.

Stupid me tried to put that shiny stuff on at night and couldn’t really see that well and ended up with it all over my hand.

As I was working I thought, “Ah…no big deal! I’ll just wash it off when I’m done.” Rookie mistake.

That stuff is like glue! I spent about 30 minutes scrubbing my hand with the following…

1. cold water

2. hand soap

3. hot water

4. dish soap

5. dish soap and hot water

6. dish soap, hot water, and a scrubby thing

7. finger nail polish remover

8. a towel

Kill me…that sucked! My hand was so dry and red when I was finished…and of course still sticky!

Maybe next time I’ll do the staining and then practice asking for help by asking a man to do the polyurethane stuff so they end up sticky whilst I go watch a rerun of Real Housewives!

Two Years Running

2011-06-08T13:15:00.000-07:00

My best friend, Michelle, lives in DC. It pisses me off a lot because I truly believe that she and I would live a much happier, funnier, and all around better life if we were allowed to live near one another. However, she married some hotshot doctor who seems hell bent on letting the world know just how freaking smart he is and keeps getting these amazing opportunities all over the US…just nowhere near me.

Luckily we make it a point to see each other a couple of times a year and have even started skyping recently.

Well now it’s going on 2 years that we have spent Memorial Day weekend together. Last year they were in Texas because her little sis, Andrea, got hitched. I loved having them close by and of course getting to spend time out on the dance floor with Michelle two out of the three nights!

This year they came in town for a friend’s wedding and unbeknownst to Daniel…a surprise 30^th birthday party for him!

I just love Michelle. They ended up not getting in until really late and we really wanted to see each and selfishly get some just girl time, but everything seemed to be working against us. Luckily I made it over to where they were staying and hung out with them and their friends for a bit. Then Michelle walked me to my car and thank the Lord we got about a hour of uninterrupted Michelle/Christy time in my car. Oh how I needed that!

We had brunch with them on Saturday and enjoyed some relaxing time just catching up and eating a nutritious breakfast at a fun new place.

Then Sunday was the day of the big surprise party. It was perfect! He was so surprised and LOVED seeing so many of his friends and especially his family that came in to see him.

It was great because Rachel and her family came and Rachel, Michelle, and I got to be together once again to laugh. We are an unique trio that dates back to 1995 and just as cool as back then…only way better dressed!

We ended up staying over and hanging out with Michelle and Daniel and their family late into the night Saturday night and again on Sunday morning.

I just love her and I love being a part of her family. Her dad had recently come back from a trip to Colombia and even let me choose a necklace from the stash he purchased down there. Even Daniel’s parents now treat me like family. There is nothing I love more than being a part of people’s families and feeling like I belong and am loved…even when they don’t have to.

Michelle is like my sister and I’m so thankful for these past 2 Memorial Day Weekends that we’ve gotten to see each other!

Next year on this weekend most likely I’ll be in DC helping them do one of three things…

1. packing up their place for the big move to Palo Alto…home of Ben and Felicity!

2. packing up their place and ALSO rubbing her belly because she may be knocked up with my future niece or nephew

3. watching them pack up their place whilst I hold my future niece or nephew incessantly for 3 days in a row

There’s talk of them trying to have a baby soon in case you were wondering!

No pressure Michelle! You know I would love nothing more to add to my bunch of nieces and nephews by one of your own….but am also totally on board with you two holding out until we can have/adopt our babies together!

Looking forward to next summer when the 3 of us "Bondy Girls" will be on a trip somewhere fun celebrating all of our 30th birthdays!!

Date Night

2011-06-08T12:56:00.000-07:00

In any relationship date nights are important. Just yesterday I saw a sign about a “Daddy/Daughter Date Night” at the Chick Fila.

Date nights help two people get to know each other in the beginning of a new romantic relationship. Then later on they help keep the spark alive and communication open during a marriage relationship. And just like above they come in handy to make our littles feel special and adored by their parents.

But what about our friendship relationships? Don’t they deserve date nights as well to help maintain that strong bond?

My answer is of course, YES!!

So a few weeks ago my friend Jeni the B and I decided it had been too long since we’d seen each other and had much to catch up on…so we planned a Date Night!

I like to think “go big or go home” so therefore I got the car cleaned earlier that day so it would be sparkly for her. I put on my trendy, girly tuxedo jacket so I looked fancy for her. I picked up some pretty Spring flowers at the grocery store on my way over to make her feel adored. I showed up five minutes early so she knew she was important. And finally I treated her to dinner and dessert at The Cheesecake Factory so she would feel spoiled!

Side note…I always tell Cobb that I think making me a girl instead of a boy was a last minute decision on God’s part and this is just yet another example of why! I’d make a great date!!

Jeni the B and I had so much fun just catching up on life and enjoying yummy food. We almost even ordered the same thing, but she opted for a Plan B so we didn’t look too much like a real couple!!

I love Jeni the B because she is so freaking wise!!! She gave me the best advice about life, dating, and even housing. I even told her some big news about me that wouldn’t necessarily be her favorite thing to hear, but she was super supportive and excited for me.

The best part about mine and Jeni the B’s friendship is that it is totally random. I always say that she is the best thing we inherited from Kate…other than Kate herself of course!

Jeni the B was Kate’s friend originally and then later her roommate in between living with Cobb and I. Somewhere over the years we started hanging out at Jeni the B’s house more and more and just fell in love with her.

She is wise. She is encouraging. She is beautiful. She is hospitable. She is sarcastic (a woman after my own heart). She is funny. She is sweet. She is a teacher. She is in love with Jesus. She is understanding. She is helpful. She is forceful…like when she made me paint my room even when I didn’t want to. She is inviting. She is creative. She is daring. She is independent. She is loving. She is thoughtful. She is patient.

She is my friend and by golly I like her a whole heck of a lot!!!

Thanks Jeni the B for the perfect date! Love you!

Free To Breathe 2011

2011-05-23T15:56:00.000-07:00

Ever since my dad died I’ve wanted to participate in some sort of walk or race for lung cancer research, but just never knew of one.

Then my sweet friend, Susan, told me about this organization called Free to Breathe that does exactly that and were having their first race in Dallas on May 21^st!

I was so excited and couldn’t wait to finally be a part of something that would honor my dad and go towards helping others not have to endure what my family did.

Several friends and family donated money to our team, “Wayne’s Walker” and we ended up raising $1425!!!

Amy and Cobb had signed up to walk with me and my brother, but things came up at the last minute and they weren’t able to make it.

Clay was also supposed to come up so that we could walk it together, but things didn’t work out for that either.

I got a little bummed thinking that I would have to walk it all by myself, but it turns out I really underestimated some of my friends!

Andrew drove up to Dallas with me on Friday to walk with me.

My bestie Jodi, her husband Andrew, and son Wyatt came out to walk with us too!

And both sets of my Dallas parents walked with me too…Cheryl and Tom Janes and Eddie and Susan Jones.

I was one loved and blessed girl!

There wasn’t much to our walk seeing as how we only did the 1 mile walk, but it was worth it.

It was worth it to know that I’m at a place now in the grief that I can do something like this and remember my dad well.

It was worth it to be surrounded by special people who love me and know that the Lord continues to lavish His love on me even without my daddy here with me.

It was worth it to see and hear stories of other people who understand all too well how a heart breaks when you lose someone to lung cancer.

Thanks to these sweet people who supported me on Saturday!

The whole group!

My bestie, Jodi, and I!

My Dallas moms…Susan and Cheryl!

My little Lovebug sporting his “Wayne’s Walkers” button made by Cobby! (He was not feeling the whole picture taking thing that day!)

Andrew and I

Sporting my sign for my Daddy!

It was a great day!

Jerky Girls Unite

2011-05-23T15:38:00.000-07:00

August 31, 2000 was a day that changed my life forever.

Sure it was my 18^th birthday…the day I became an adult. But it was also the first day that all 5 of the original Jerky Girls ever hung out together.

Courtney, my college roommate, had put together a little birthday surprise for me in our dorm room, but enlisted the help of our next door neighbor, Loren, to decorate while we were out to dinner. Loren needed some help so she enlisted the help of her new friend Becky, whom she met through something musical (I can’t quite remember all the details…I just remember popsicles were involved!). So Courtney and I get home that night and enjoy a little surprise birthday celebration with Loren, Becky, and our suite mates. Not long after a random girl, Jenn, comes running down to our room and says, “Hey I heard there was cake in here! Can I have some?” So right there in room 209 all 5 of us met for the first time.

Shortly after that the 5 of us became inseparable and all ended up living on the same floor together. Right before Christmas we decided that we needed a name and came up with Jerky Girls because we wanted to be the girl version of the MTV show Jackass. We had grand plans of me getting a video camera for Christmas and Loren was going to get a video editing program for Christmas and then we would all come back and film each of us doing incredibly stupid things. However, none of that happened…except that I did get the camera and we were constantly doing incredibly stupid things!

Throughout the four years at UMHB we inducted two other members into our Jerky Girl group…

Sij – Sijansky was randomly selected as one of mine and Courtney’s roommates our sophomore year.

Kesi – Kes lived in the apartments across the street from us and somehow one night she convinced Courtney and I to help her go around the dorms surveying people about their views on sex…don’t worry it was for a psychology project and was totally legit!

In 4 years together we did some of the dumbest, most hilarious, random, and ridiculous things together. Here are just a few of the highlights…

1. Dressing up in our Easter dresses when we got back to school and going to get ice cream together

2. Dressing up in all black and walking through campus with boom boxes and ending up at the Ruins where we proceeded to do cheerleading stunts together our senior year

3. Camping out in the quad on the last night before summer our freshman year

4. Having wheelchair races at the hospital in the middle of the night while the doctors figured out whether to remove Jenn’s appendix or not

5. Pretending we’re thugs and going to spy on Brian Rayburn to defend the honor of our friend Amy

6. Kesi writing the most AMAZING song about the boy who broke my heart and then all carpooling to his school to serenade him with his special song

7. Road trips to all of our hometowns

8. HUGE blow out fights between Courtney, Becky, and myself

9. Creating our own Jerky Girl choreographed dance at semi-formal senior year

10. Becky showing up randomly in the morning dressed exactly like Courtney or I so that we would have to change before class

We are a true example of how opposites attract! We are five of the most uniquely different people, but since we helped each other survive college we are forever bonded together.

When we graduated college we decided that every 2^nd weekend in June we would get together for a Jerky Girls weekend and take a trip somewhere. This last for about the first 3 years after college where we visited New Braunsfels, Austin, and Port Aransas.

Then life got in the way and we kinda let the weekend slip off of our calendars.

Even so we’ve survived a lot with each other even after college and even without the yearly get togethers.

We’ve dealt with parents having major illnesses.

We’ve lost parents.

We’ve encouraged through a called off wedding.

We’ve celebrated one marriage and two current engagements.

After all that we decided it had been too long and a week ago we got together for a Jerky Girl trip to Fort Worth.

This was the first time that all 7 of us have been together since college!

There aren’t enough words to describe the fun and laughter that occurred during this short two day trip together!

So I’ll just show some highlights with pictures…

An impromptu lingerie shower for Courtney since we all missed her real one!

Lots of fun “goodies” from the Jerky Girl Hoars!!

Dinner out with our matching shirts…lots of strange looks that night!

Becky practicing her “bedroom” eyes!

Jenn and I

Kesi and Courtney

Sij and I enjoying some “goodies” out on the dance floor!

Jenn strutting her stuff up on the stage!

Group picture in the elevator!

Lo and Becky singing along with the random man on the street playing his guitar!

Dressing up in old fashioned clothes for a group picture!

One last picture together at the Fort Worth Stockyards!

I love these girls more than words could ever say! I would never have survived college without them. Luckily Courtney and Kesi are both getting married this summer so for 3 months in a row all 7 of us will get to be together again.

Looking forward to us all wearing our matching white dresses to the wedding and showing everyone our Jerky Girl choreographed dance out on the dance floors this summer!

“What do we do when a member’s in help?” – Becky

“We give them trouble?” - Jerks

The Land I Love

2011-05-10T05:55:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I like to tell people that I’m from Arkansas. I realize that’s not usually the place that most people want to claim as their origins due to so many cousin marrying cousin jokes. However, I love that place.

Yes, that state has some really gorgeous parts to it, but that’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about a little city called Cave City that some people in Arkansas don’t even know exist.

That’s the home of a good chunk of my family and one of my most favorite places on the planet.

This is where my Aunt Esther (Granny’s only sister) lives. Her three daughters, Brenda, Vernetta, and Vernece, all live with their families as well. And it gets better…they all live on the same giant piece of land! You can literally take a stroll down a dirt road and cross 1-2 cattle guards and be at a cousin’s house!

When we were growing up we would usually go up there to visit for a week in the summer, for Thanksgiving, and then for a reunion weekend every other October. Nowadays, we go just for the reunion weekend, which is now the first weekend of August.

I LOVE these reunions…but hate that they only last for 2 days and only come every 2 years.

So one of the things I most wanted to accomplish during this Year of Jubilee was a trip to Arkansas for some unrushed time with some of my most favorite people. And that’s just what I did!

I headed up the Monday before Easter and landed myself at Vernetta and Jeff’s house and stayed up late the first night talking life with Brett.

He and I spent the next afternoon on horses riding down the main road because you can do those sorts of things in the country without worrying about getting hit by a car!

On Wednesday Brett’s brother Jason and his wife, Amy, and there two whipper snappers, Corwin and Owen, came down to spend the week.

Let me just say that I’ve never met a boy more country than Corwin and because of that I think I fall more in love with him each time I see him. He taught me how to shoot a BB gun…and to never point at someone’s face!

On Thursday I hopped in the car and drove over to Jonesboro to spend some time with my cousin buddy, Kerrie, and her husband, Jeremy, and their little boy Jack.

Kerrie and I rarely get any time just the two of us…but this visit! Well let’s just say our cups runneth over!

Kerrie, Jack, and I headed back to Cave City on Saturday for the annual Easter egg hunt at Vernetta’s house. All of my cousins and their kids were there and I was in heaven!

There were races for eggs…

Climbing trees and seeing how far you could put a 1 and 5 year old up (while the parents of course stand by laughing and taking pictures)…

Colored bubbles...

That stained all the kid's t-shirts…

Real Easter bunnies…

Dying of eggs…

Me trying not to hurl when Owen decided he’d rather eat the hard boiled egg rather than dye it…

(No pictures because I was too busy gagging!)

Uncles helping nephews hunt for eggs…

Aunt Esther sitting on a porch for hours reveling in watching her family…

Cousins piled around talking for hours…

and of course lots of laughter!

I kept looking around at everyone and the house and thinking, “I love it here!” This is just another piece of home for me that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

I kept marveling in how amazing that feeling of belonging is. They love me for no other reason than because I originated from the same people they did. I don’t have to earn their love. I didn’t have to shower or put on make up each day. My clothes didn’t have to match. I didn’t have to constantly be carrying on a conversation. I just had to be there and I was loved. That’s family!

My family is redneck…and hillbilly…and have thick country accents…think its normal to buy chickens just to take Easter pictures with…take their 5 year old turkey hunting…use words like “prolly”…wears boots with every outfit…don’t lock their doors…and so many other things that make up why I love them so!

This trip is one of my most favorite things I’ve done this whole Year of Jubilee. I wouldn’t trade those days in Arkansas for anything else…and am especially looking forward to our first ever 3G Cousin Trip in August!

I can’t thank my grandparents and mom enough for making the time when we were kids to take us up there so often. Even though we only went a couple of times a year, I feel like I grew up with them in a way. Not everyone is that close with their extended family…just one more reason why I’m a lucky girl!

A Special, Early Delivery...and a Very Late Post

2011-04-22T12:39:00.000-07:00

About nine months ago I mentioned that a friend of mine had just found out she was pregnant and that I would soon be meeting a new fake niece or nephew.

As it turns out it was a nephew and he was about 2 weeks early!

We almost got started off on the wrong foot because he wasn’t supposed to arrive until April 30^th and I was leaving to go out of town on the 18^th and not coming back until the 28^th. The planner in me had it all figured out. The never-had-a-baby-before me didn’t understand how things wouldn’t work out the way she planned it.

This year the Lord has seen fit to teach me to not hold too tightly to the plans that I’ve made because He likes to throw a wrench in them! True to form I learned that lesson yet again on Monday, April 18^th!

That morning Mindy went in to be induced and thought for sure that it would be an all day labor…thus meaning I would leave to go out of town without meeting my nephew. However, at about noon they decided they needed to do a C-section because his heartbeat kept dropping.

So I raced over to the hospital right before they wheeled her out and got to hold her hand and share in their excitement.

Then at 12:40pm all 6 pounds 7 ounces, 19 inches, and 100% adorableness of little Hudson Hogsett made his way into the world!

I got back to the hospital around 2:00 and got to share in the smiles, well wishes, and about 5 minutes of holding my newest fake nephew in my arms and falling madly in love!

Oh he is just perfect with his little head of dark peach fuzz. And when he yawns and sticks that skinny tongue out the oohs and ahhs start coming.

Then to look at my sweet friend Mindy and know that she is a mom now…WOW! It’s amazing! I love too that she’ll get to celebrate her first Mother’s Day in just a few weeks too.

I am just beyond thrilled for Mindy and Ron and their little Hudson.

As much as I long to be a mother some day, it sure is nice to have so many nieces and nephews to love on…even if they are fake ones!

I’m one very lucky Fake Aunt!

You're Never Too Old

2011-04-11T15:57:00.000-07:00

On August 25, 2008 a group of kindergarteners walked into my classroom to become the fifth group of Haston’s Hippos. I always start the year off full of excitement and a little bit of nervousness. You never quite know what you’re going to get or how the year will go.

Each previous year had been filled with tears, laughter, special moments, the most adorable smiles, lifelong lessons, a few bathroom accidents, and students who weaseled into my heart forever.

However, little did I know that the group that walked into my classroom that August of 2008 would wrangle their way in and cement themselves in the hidden spots of my heart.

That year we bonded partly due to the fact that they were the ones who, unbeknownst to them, helped my heart heal through the grief process.

They lived almost an entire month without their kindergarten teacher while I was at home losing my dad and never once held it against me. They behaved like sweethearts for Miss Gove, my student teacher, and Miss Chastain, my dearest friend and all around best substitute ever. Then they welcomed me back with hugs…and smiles…and cards that said they missed me…and sweet little voices that held my hand and said, “I’m sorry your dad died.”

That year we grew together and as June crept closer and closer we all got a little sad at the thought of saying good-bye and me having to relinquish my control of them onto their first grade teacher.

Little did we all know that God had a far crazier plan in store!

The last week of school I sent a letter home to parents saying that I would be moving up to teach 1^st grade for the next school year and they had the choice whether to keep their child in my class or let them choose a different teacher. It was unanimous…they were all out of their minds and wanted to be hippos for another year! One parent even checked both boxes

We will be attending a different school in the Fall.
We would like to have our child stay in Miss Haston’s class.

So we started all over again as Haston’s Hippos just a little taller, with 4 new friends, better handwriting, and in a new classroom.

That was the year that we truly became our own little family. Everyone’s true colors came out and we learned to love the good, bad, and ugly about each other.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it forever…that class will always hold a most special place in my heart.

With spending two years together you can imagine all the tears and begging to go one more year together that occurred in the Summer of 2010. Then even more tears flowed when it was announced that not only would I not be looping up with them again, but I wouldn’t even be a teacher at their school anymore.

It’s always hard to watch a class leave and trust that their next teacher will love them as much as me (I have a bit of a control issue). This time it was excruciating!

Would I see them again? Would I know what’s going on with them? Will they still love me? What happens if the 2^nd grade teachers don’t let Edwin go the restroom the first time he asks? Who will Abe give his morning hugs to each morning? What if the 2^nd grade teachers don’t appreciate it when Kyndra gives them tips on how to be a better teacher? What if they don’t let Grayson have at least one math book in his book box at all times? What if Hayden and Jaime don't get in the same class? Who will remind Emily to take a deep breath when the tears starting coming to her eyes? Will they appreciate Isabella's sass?

It was hard to let go, but I did it!

And luckily for me I've gotten to go up there and see my kiddos so much more than I ever imagined!

And then the most amazing added bonus…Girl Scouts!

Last year each of us 1^st grade teachers had at least one girl in a Girl Scout troop together. At the end of the year we all got invited to their Bridging to Brownies ceremony.

Then this year they even asked us to help them earn their Dancercize Badge in the Fall.

And when I got back from my Haiti and Uganda travels they were chomping at the bit to learn more about the cultures I’d visited so they could earn their Around The World Badge.

And just when you thought they couldn’t love us anymore…they asked to join them for a tea party so they could earn their Manners badge!

We of course jumped at the opportunity to dress up in fancy dresses, big hats, fur coats, gloves, and pearls galore!

If I remember correctly I was a Brownie in the 2^nd grade too, but only went to about two meetings before I decided I wasn’t that much interested and so I quit. History shows that not only do I have a control problem, but also a problem with following through!

But who says at 28 you can’t still be a Brownie?

Dan the Man

2011-04-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

I’d like to introduce you to Dr. Daniel DeSalvo!

He is the husband of my very best friend, Michelle DeSalvo.

The first time I ever met him, he came racing towards me and enveloped me in a bear hug! I had no idea who he was, but was hoping that he was the boy who wore cowboy boots and stole my best friend’s heart.

A little over a year later, I stood up in front of a crowd and toasted the two of them at their wedding. I told all about how much I loved Michelle because she was my best friend of course. But I also went on about how much I loved Daniel too and how I was looking to find my very own Daniel one day!

There are so many reasons why I love Daniel…

1. Since day one he treated me like I was important.

2. He sat at the hospital with me one night when my dad had just been diagnosed.

3. When I come to visit he always introduces me to people as “his best friend” rather than just “Michelle’s best friend”!

4. Right before I come visit them he always texts to say how excited he is for me to come!

5. He loves Michelle so well!

And just the other day he gave me one more reason to love him!

I mailed out support letters for my East Asia trip this summer. When I opened the envelope from Michelle and Daniel I smiled so big. You see Daniel filled out the info card, wrote the check, and then even wrote this on the back…

I love that he did all that rather than just putting it aside and saying, “Well that’s Michelle’s friend…she can do it.” That of course would have been a typical male response…but not for Daniel.

I couldn’t have picked a better man for my Michelle.

Now if I could just find my own Daniel!!

Tomfoolery

2011-04-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

I’m a little late in telling this story, but it was just so funny!

Last Friday was April Fool’s Day and earlier in the week I began thinking of who I could prank and what I could do. In the end I decided the best person to play with would be Cobb.

Friday morning when I got home from boot camp I quickly made my way to the garage, backed out Cobb’s car, and moved it to the front of the house, but much farther down the street. The hope was that when she went to leave for her meeting later in the morning she would think her car got stolen or that she was losing her mind. Either I felt would be equally funny!

I parked myself on the couch so that I wouldn’t miss a single moment of it!

She had a meeting at 8:30 that morning and around 8:10 she went walking to the garage. I heard her open the door and then stand in there silently for the longest time.

She walked back in the house, looked at me, and then this transpired…

Cobb – Where’s my car?

Me – What do you mean where’s your car?

Cobb – My car isn’t in the garage!

Me – (I’m acting shocked) What do you mean it’s not in there?

**I walk in the garage and take a look for myself and what do you know…her car really is missing! He He He!

Me – Are you sure you parked it in here last night?

**Cobb begins beelining for the front door to check and see if its out front.

Cobb – Its not here.

**Cobb begins to look like she’s going to cry. I begin to contemplate if this is all about to go terribly wrong.

Me – April Fool’s!!! Your car’s out front!

Cobb – CHRISTY HASTON!!!! (all caps means read it as though you're shouting)

**Then I walk her outside and point out where her car is. Cobb starts laughing and I begin reveling in my genius plan!!!

It was greatness! She kept shaking afterwards because she was really freaking out cause she couldn’t find her car!

I’ve always wanted to play a really good April Fool’s trick on somebody and Cobb got to be my first!

Of course as luck would have it ol’ Tomfoolery got his revenge on me the next day.

Saturday I was laying in the backyard reading and Kate came out to tell me that she was leaving. About 8 minutes later I decide its too hot and want to go put my bathing suit on. Much to my surprise the sliding back door is now locked!

I have absolutely no way of getting inside the house! Luckily for me I had Kate bring my phone before she left. I quickly gave her a call and she turned her car around and came to my rescue.

Come to find out, no one came home again until 2:00…and it was 11:30 when Kate left. If I hadn’t had my phone I would have been stuck outside for over 2 hours!

You’d think getting locked out of your house once would be sufficient payback enough…but you would be sadly mistaken!

Later that same night we all went over to Jeni’s house for dinner and a movie. For some strange reason all three of us roommates drove our own cars.

As soon as the movie ended I jumped up and headed home because I had had a long day of laying around reading and playing with my niece, Claire, and I was exhausted.

Well imagine my surprise when I get home and can’t get in the house for the second time in one day! Someone had locked the screen door from the inside! I don’t have a garage door opener so I was stranded!

Luckily again Cobb had left right after me so I only waited for a few minutes!

So one would think that all this payback would teach me a lesson about pranking others, but seeing as how I’m a Haston I doubt that happens!

High Fives All Around

2011-03-25T14:14:00.000-07:00

Some of you might remember how about a month ago I went to Houston to see my family, but also to take my Principal Certification test. The story of that debaucle can be found here.

After I dried up my tears of wasting $120 on that first test, I signed up for round 2…but in Dallas this time.

Tuesday I headed down a hour early to make to my test and wouldn’t you know I found it right away with no problems and there were tons of parking spots. Take that stupid University of Houston!

The people at Prometric Testing Center were so nice, which helped calm my nerves a little.

I had 5 hours to take a test with 115 multiple choice questions and was feeling pretty good.

Sadly, that confidence didn’t last too long. You know where you’re taking a test and there are several questions that when you choose your answer you know 100% that you got it right. Well I felt that way for maybe 17 out of the 115 questions.

Then there were about 12 questions were I looked at the screen and mouthed “I have absolutely no idea!” (they are very strict about the no making sounds policy there!)

So that left me with 86 questions where I felt like it go either way.

So finally I took a deep breath, begged God to have mercy on me, and then clicked “Submit Test”!

I walked out and thought, “Well at least it’s over!”

I’ve been a little nervous all week waiting to see if I passed or not. I’ve never not passed a big test like this, so my pride was really feeling a little jittery.

Today I finally got the e-mail letting me know that my scores were available for me to see.

And what do you know…

Let’s take a closer look…

I PASSED!!!

Who says an online Masters is useless?

Love,

Principal Haston

Rodeo Favorites

2011-03-21T21:13:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to some of my most favorite parts about the Rodeo this year.

First, meet the Zipper!

Some might think she is a death trap, but they would be sadly mistaken. This is a machine that brings smiles, joy, laughter, maybe a few curse words or two, and makes this Haston lady one of the happiest girls in Houston. This is now mine and my brother's tradition, to ride the Zipper once every year!

(P.S. My dream date has always been for a man to take me for a burger and then to a parking lot carnival so we can ride the Zipper. If any man did that and then proposed to me at the end he would get a definite "YES!")

Second, meet Thurman…or Clay…or Bubba…he has a lot of names!

I love my Bubba! I loved that he paid for my parking. I loved that he went out to the Rodeo early just for me on the last day. I loved that he paid for our carnival ride tickets. I loved that he waited in line in the sun sweating with me for 30 minutes to ride the Zipper. I loved that he just laughed and laughed at me while I screamed my head off on this ride. I loved that he sat and watched a country music concert even though he's not that big a fan of country music. And there are so many other thousands of reasons that I love this guy!

Third, meet my Daddy’s belt!

Would you believe me if I told you that this is the belt my Dad wore when he married my mom? And now it fits me perfectly! Yes, he was that skinny! I found this when we cleaned out his house after he passed away and LOVED that it fit me and it was something I can always wear now. This is one of my prized possessions!

Lastly, meet my Dad’s Rodeo belt buckle!

The Rodeo after Dad passed away he would have received his Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo belt buckle, but instead they presented Clay and I with it. I flew down for just a few hours to make it to the meeting. It was so sweet and we were so honored that they allowed us to accept it and spoke such sweet words about our Dad. However, there was a little mixup and that night the belt buckle had his name misspelled…but we loved the ceremony regardless. We just now got the one with his correct name and Clay wore it proudly this year.

I have Dad’s belt and Clay has his buckle and every year we get to proudly display our Daddy’s name at his Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!

We missed you again this year Dad, but glad to know you’re still watching!

Closet Country Gal

2011-03-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

Remember what it was like to be a child living in your own little bubble? You know where you thought every family was like yours?

For instance…

I thought everyone ate dinner watching Sanford and Sons like we did.

I thought all spaghetti sauce was made from scratch rather than from a jar.

I thought having a brother who was a year older, but in the same grade as me was like other brothers and sisters.

I thought all family vacations consisted of camping in tents and motorhomes.

I thought all kids grew up within minutes of both sets of grandparents.

Didn’t you have some things that you just thought were normal and what everyone did when you were younger?

One thing that I’m learning that isn’t necessarily a part of everyone’s upbringing is rodeos.

We grew up going to the Pasadena Rodeo every September. Then we would go to the Houston Rodeo in March. We did this every year…mainly because that was what my dad loved. Eventually he joined the Houston Rodeo committee and several years ago convinced my brother to join too. He even had season tickets so we always had the same seats.

I remember when we were kids and would go to the Rodeo on the nights he would work and we would stay out there late while he helped clean up. Probably not the best parenting choice…but we’re Hastons and we don’t follow the conventional rules of child upbringing! While Dad was working Clay and I would chase each other through all the seats and would literally run around the entire Astrodome just laughing and jumping over people’s leftover trash. Man we were easily entertained!

Then when I got into junior high and high school Dad would let me pick one night that I could have his tickets and bring my girlfriends. I chose Reba McEntire every single year…that is until she stopped coming and then I fell hard and fast for Martina McBride. I got 4 tickets and then he could get 2 people in with his badge. So my mom would bravely drive me and 4 other girls out there so we could dress up in our tight jeans, lace up Ropers, and scream our heads off during the concert. Debo was brave!

The tradition didn’t change even as an adult. The last Rodeo Dad was alive for he again let me choose my night of choice so I could bring my roommates down and he even arranged it so that we could all ride in the Grand Entry that night. As it turned out Dad had just been diagnosed and couldn’t be there the night we went. However, his buddies knew how much he loved to spoil me and my friends when we came to the Rodeo and they came through in amazing ways.

They worked it out for us to eat dinner below the stadium with all of the Rodeo contestants. They got us passes to go meet Martina McBride!!!! They gave us plenty of drink tickets so that we didn’t have to pay for anything. And they made sure someone was with us throughout the whole night to take care of anything we needed.

Even now that Dad is gone I still go home every year for the Houston Rodeo. Usually I have some friends come with me, but it didn’t work out that way this year.

I went last night with Clay, but he had to work. So I sat and watched the show by myself. Luckily though my cousin Becca was working the bar right by the section I was in and kept bringing me Dr. Peppers every 30 minutes right when I would finish my other.

Here’s Bubba and I…He’s a Captain this year!

I got to see several of my dad’s Rodeo buddies and hug their necks. That place was like his second home so I love that I can still go back and be a part of something that brought him such joy. I even got through the whole night with just a few tears.

I was sitting there watching the Rodeo and realized…I love this! I love cowboys. I love horses. I love cattle. I love the chaps. I love the country accents. I love the country music. I love the excitement of watching a bull ride and gripping my hands together praying that he makes it for 8 seconds.

To some the Rodeo may not mean that much.

To me…it’s a piece of home.

You may not recognize the country girl in me from first glance, but she’s in there!

There’s that part of me that just wants to wear jeans, boots, and a pearl snap every day.

There’s that part of me that wants my own horse so that I can go riding whenever and for however long I want to.

There’s that part of me that wants to sit on the porch with a glass of sweet tea at night and watch the stars.

There’s the part of me that wishes she had a little country house on a piece of land where she can grow a garden with all her own vegetables…which of course I’d give all away because I don’t really like many vegetables!

There’s that part of me that wants to have cows just so I can go round them up with my horse.

There’s that part of me that really wants a barn for no other reason than because I think it would be cool...oooh and a tractor too!

And there’s a part of me that wants to marry a cowboy who wears Wranglers…and says, “Yes Ma’am.”…and opens the truck door for you…and comes in the house at the end of the day dirty and sweaty…and who I can ride alongside him on our horses…and who will sit on the porch with me…and who can mend fences and build things…and who can fix the tractor when its acting up…and who drives a big truck like my Dad did!

Sometimes I wonder if those things will be a part of my story. You see I have so many things that I desire for my future that I’m not quite sure how God can make them all come together.

But then I remember that He created the whole world just by speaking…and did a darn fine job if I do say so myself!!

I’m sure He’s got my life under control. But if He could work one of these into my story, I'd be much obliged!!!

Getting Engaged, Pigging Out, and Becoming a Single Mom

2011-03-08T14:29:00.000-08:00

I didn’t really have high hopes for this past weekend. Not that I thought it wouldn’t be any fun, but just rather I thought it would be a laid back weekend and that by Tuesday I would have forgotten all that I did over the weekend.

Boy was I wrong!

The weekend started off with Amy and I dressing up in navy and neon green to go support our friends in their first softball league game.

Let’s Go Balls N Dolls!

They put up a good fight, but ended the game with a score of 21-5…in favor of them. We are convinced that we are their #1 fans!

Anytime these numbers came up to bat we’d start clapping, yelling, and doing our best to pray they make it on base.

In between watching them bat and screaming our heads off when Megan redeemed herself from two missed catches to then catch a straight shot right at her, you could find Amy and I…

Taking pictures of ourselves…

And trying on Chelsea’s wedding ring and complimenting ourselves on how good diamonds look on our left hand…

Imagine my surprise too when I looked up at the scoreboard and it said, “Marry Me Christy!” He finally popped the question…

Just kidding! For some reason Brad and I always take a picture together and I thought it was fitting this time too since I was wearing his ring. Chelsea is a way better match than me for Mr. Coleman.

And of course it wouldn’t be normal if the four of us didn’t take a group shot…

It was a super fun night with my girls and I am looking forward to cheering alongside Amy again this Friday night.

And just when I thought it couldn’t get any better Cobb and I headed over to meet friends at Jodi’s so we could carpool out to Canton.

The minute I got there all I could think about was all the unhealthy, delicious food that I would stuff myself with out there. How does a girl choose between corn dogs, Frito pie, Twister fries, sweet tea, Dr. Pepper, burgers, funnel cakes, turkey legs, roasted corn?

In the end, here is what I shamelessly subjected my tummy to…

Long corny dogs

A funnel cake

Twister fries

And I of course washed all those things down with 2 Dr. Peppers! All that food gave me the energy to complete my shopping list of finding a vintage suitcase and an old quilt!

At the end of our shopping extravaganza we all loaded into one car, cause Cobby left early, and I volunteered to sit in the back. This is how I rode for the entire hour back home…

The night ended with a Saturday night service at the Village with my church buddy, Amy.

Then when I thought Sunday would be a normal, lazy day…I ended up becoming a single mom!

Jodi came down with the flu and Andrew was out of town and someone needed to watch Wyatt. So I went over early that morning to scoop up my Lovebug and spend the day with him.

We played at the park…

We bought some groceries…

We played with random objects in the backyard…

We ate grapes on a blanket...

We ate hotdogs for lunch…

We fell asleep in the car…

And we went to a friend’s baby shower….

Oh how I love my Lovebug and the opportunity to love on him for a full day!

I love it when a weekend turns out so much better than you ever could have imagined!

Chi Alpha

2011-02-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was Chi Alpha at The Heights. Which is really just their trendy name for Disciple Now.

This was my fourth year to help, but have started a trend where one year I lead a group and then the next year I help behind the scenes. So this year was the year that I helped behind the scenes.

The best part about the weekend for me was that 8 of the seniors from last year came back to be leaders this year…and even one of my kids from back home in Pasadena came to lead. I’ve always called that group of students, “my students” so in essence I was one proud mama this weekend.

There were truck drivers who showed up to lighten the mood every night.

There were worship services with tiny 7^th grade boys next to giant college boys.

There were proud moments watching this sweet girl who I’ve loved since she was a 3^rd grader lead 7^th grade girls.

There were high school boys competing to see who could stack the most milk crates on top of each other and still balance on top.

Only then to be beat out by this 7^th grade cutie who stacked the most!

There were girls conquering their fears of heights.

And there were best friends all around.

After all this fun, I was exhausted…and I didn’t even lead a group of kids!

Jabyn Tate Bigham

2011-02-21T20:29:00.000-08:00

About eight and a half years ago my best friend, Rachel, met me at her door for the first time since I came back from a summer in Germany. She was crying and had me follow her into her parent’s kitchen where she showed me a sonogram picture and said,

“This is my son.”

I appropriately said, “Shut up. You’re lying.”

“No I’m not lying. I’m pregnant.” - Rachel

“Stop it. This is a joke.” - Me

“No its not a joke. I’m having a baby.” – Rachel

This went on for another good 7 minutes before it really sunk in that she was telling the truth and she really was carrying a little boy inside her belly.

We sat on her couch and cried together. I asked all sorts of questions and we cried some more. I was in shock to say the least. You see, Rachel was 20 years old and about to start her junior year in college. It was a scary time for her and not exactly how she had envisioned this part of her life happening. Luckily we have a God who doesn't make mistakes and has the most amazing ability to turn what we think may be accidents into some of the most beautiful, life-changing, blessings that we could ever imagine. And this time was no exception!

Two nights later I came over to spend the night with Rachel and we crawled into bed talking about what she was going to do. That night her first response was thinking she should give him up for adoption. My heart sank. I’d already started falling in love with the idea of this little boy I would call my nephew and I didn’t want anyone else to have him.

However, the supportive best friend inside of me just listened to her and tried to remind her that I’d be there for her no matter what.

Luckily, she quickly realized that she couldn’t give this baby up and that she was in fact going to keep him.

For the next 6 months I dreamed of what he would look like, helped Rach pick out names (even practiced yelling potential names as if he was in trouble to see how it would sound), shopped for all things blue, made trips to Abilene to rub her belly and help pick out maternity clothes, cleared my calendar for the end of January so I could drive home from college the minute she went into labor, and practiced what it would sound like to introduce myself as Aunt Christy.

I happened to be already on my way to Pasadena the day she called to say she was going to the hospital. I was going home for Disciple Now and instead went straight to the hospital. She was so calm and kept reminding the nurse to put a big fat check mark by an epidural because she would for sure be having one of those.

I left and headed to the church for dinner thinking it would be awhile before he made his appearance. Only a few hours later her dad called to say the little mister would in fact be making his appearance any minute now.

I hopped in my car and started speeding my way to Bayshore Hospital. Crying all the way at the thought of missing this momentous occasion and cursing each red light I hit...which incidentally was every one that I came to!

I made it there and the darn nurses wouldn’t let me go back there. Her dad came out and told them it was ok and I finally made my way to her room.

The once calm Rachel was now screaming her head off and showed no resemblance to my best friend. I touched her foot and then the nurse told her dad that we had to leave because it was time to start pushing.

Pops and I waited in the lobby and he told me the stories of when Kim, Rachel’s sister, and Rachel were born. Then not too long after the doctor walked out and said we had a healthy baby boy. Pops and I hugged and then made our way back to Rachel’s room.

She was a little out of it because as it turns out that epidural she’d been dreaming of actually never got put in. I was holding her hand and telling her what a great job she’d done. Then a nurse came in and started pushing on her belly to check things and I remember Rach squeezing my hand so hard that I almost cried from the pain of her crushing the ring I was wearing. I realized though she just pushed a baby out her woo-haw and I’m whining about my finger…so I should probably keep my mouth shut.

With each day Rach was pregnant I grew more and more in love with this life growing inside of her. I didn’t think it would be possible to love him more…but boy was I wrong.

When he was three days old I stopped by their house right before I got back on the road to head back to school. He was sleeping next to the bed and Rachel and I were laying in bed talking. I just kept crying because the thought of leaving him was just too much to bear. I loved him so much and didn’t know how I was going to handle not seeing him everyday and being there to help her. They finally made me leave and I cried most of the way back to school.

That tiny baby grabbed my heart and now eight and a half years later his grip is still as strong as the first day I met him.

I spent the afternoon with him, Rachel, and little Davyn today. I was watching Jabyn today and couldn’t get over just how much I love this child. All day long I just wanted to grab him and not let go!

I was thinking today about the love that I feel for him. One would assume that the love of a fake aunt wouldn’t be that intoxicating, but with this little guy it sure is. I’m crying right now thinking how much I love him…pathetic I know!

I also began thinking…is this what it will feel like if the Lord allows me to be a mother? If I think this love is so strong, how much more will it be when it’s the love for my own children? Will I be able to handle that kind of love?

I am a very, very lucky girl in the fact that I’ve been blessed with so many fake nieces and nephews. And I would like to make it known that I love each and every one of them…even the one that is due in 2 months! Just wanted to give a shout out to my first nephew and the first one who gave me the gift of being a Fake Aunt!

Here are some pictures of Jabyn and I throughout the years! Sadly, I must not have had a digital camera when he was first born because I couldn’t find any of those on my computer.

Domesticated

2011-02-21T18:31:00.000-08:00

On Friday night when I got home from babysitting Kate and Cobb were hanging out with some former student ministry/YoungLife kids home from college. We sat around laughing, talking, playing stupid games on iPhones, and listening to them talk about life.

Right before they left one girl was telling another boy how now she is totally “domesticated”…and of course they all laughed and asked what does that even mean. She replied, “It means all I do is cook, laundry, clean, and study.”

All day today I kept thinking to myself, “I’m so domesticated!”…minus the whole studying thing! So glad that will never be a part of my life again no matter how much my mom wants me to wear one of those funny hats at graduation. She of course means a doctorate hat…NOT going to happen!

Anyways, yesterday after a nice Sunday nap I sat down to look up easy recipes on the computer. I’m very much in the habit of eating out a lot or filling myself with ham sandwiches or Campbell’s soup. I’ve decided it would be much more financially beneficial to start cooking for myself…not to mention good practice for a future husband I’m praying the Lord is working on for me!!

I found several things and made out my grocery list. Next, I did a load of laundry. I finished up To Kill A Mockingbird and then headed to the kitchen to cook dinner for myself and Cobb.

I made chicken fettuccini alfredo with green beans and garlic bread. Cobb giggled when she saw that the garlic bread was actually old hot dog buns toasted with some garlic salt on them…thanks Debo for teaching me to be resourceful!

It felt so good last night to cook a meal and to have cleaned up the dishes before going to bed too.

So then this morning I woke up at 7:30 so that I could hit the grocery store before it got too busy. And man do I love grocery shopping that early. Everyone looks crap right along with you so it doesn’t matter that I didn’t fix my bedhead ponytail or that I accidentally forgot to brush my teeth.

I came home and put everything away and then got things ready because I had planned to cook a rotisserie chicken in the crock pot today so that we would have chicken for the various meals I’d planned throughout the week. Now I realize that nowadays you can just pick up a rotisserie chicken already cooked at the grocery store, but what fun is that? Plus this way is cheaper and I was determined to be a real cook this week.

I worried all day long about whether the house had burned down due to the chicken cooking all day, but it didn’t and when I got home…boy did the house smell good.

So tonight I used some of the chicken to make some tacos. I’ll make anything that gives me an excuse to use avocadoes these days!

I even made homemade sweet tea for the first time tonight! I’ve always said I wanted to marry a boy from Alabama because you could be sure he knew how to make good sweet tea or at least his mama would know how. Yet again I’ve proven that I don’t need a man…although I’d still like one!

I ate my dinner, drank my sweet tea, cleaned up the kitchen, and then took a bath and read.

I am one domesticated Haston!

Old photo...but I thought it was appropriate!

Now That's A Good Friday Night

2011-02-19T07:53:00.000-08:00

At the last minute I decided to offer free babysitting to Jodi and Andrew because they had a leader meeting at church. I assumed Lovebug and I would play some in the living room, then get him jammied up, and then once to bed I’d watch TV in the peace and quiet.

We did all of those things, but I got the most unexpected treat…snuggling!

We were sitting in the chair watching the Back Yardigans and all of a sudden he just leans over on my shoulder. I wish someone could have seen my face! I quickly put my arm around and snuggled him closer. Then of course took a picture to document this sweet moment and then send to his mother to make her jealous that I was snuggling with her little boy!

Some might think that being a 28 year old girl and babysitting on a Friday night would be embarrassing…but that’s only because they didn’t get to snuggle with Lovebug like I did.

And true to form…10 minutes later he took a dump in his diaper and I realized that Jodi and Andrew had no wipes anywhere in the house!

Ahh…the single life!

I LOVE Love Day!!

2011-02-16T17:47:00.000-08:00

In the past 28 years I’m pretty sure I’ve spent a total of three Valentine’s Days with actual boyfriends.

1991 – I was in the 3^rd grade and my “boyfriend” was Clay Smith. He gave every one in class the typical perforated fold in half Valentine from the grocery store, but for me…I got an actual Valentine’s Card with Tweety Bird on it! Oh be still my heart!

1996 – Now I was in the 8^th grade and dating Justin Lowth. I remember everyone gathering in the main hallway before school and everyone looking around waiting to see what all the couples would exchange for the big day. I thought it was so sweet because Justin had given me the cutest little teddy bear…only until the end of the day when I found out that teddy bear came free with his Whataburger breakfast that morning!

2010 – I was 27 and dating Jonathan. He was going to be out of town on actual Valentine’s Day so we celebrated a few days earlier. He got me a new book, the 2^nd season of Big Love, and wrote me the most amazing love letter!

Basically I’ve spent more Valentine’s single rather than with a boy!

However, Valentine’s Day is probably my favorite holiday. I’ve always loved this day for some reason. I just love LOVE…whether with friends, family, or even boyfriends.

So as this Valentines approached I began to prepare my plans and determine who I wanted to love on most. So I planned a whole day of playing Cupid and delivering a little “love” for all the special people in my life. I even headed over to Hobby Lobby for supplies so that I could hand make my Valentine's cards this year. Here is one example...

I got dressed up in various shades of pink so that I would play the Cupid part right!

My first stop was dropping off some homemade treats and Valentine’s card for the Mailman. I have always wanted to do that!

Then headed down the road to treat myself to my favorite…Chick Fil A breakfast!

Then picked up a Sonic drink and headed through Richardson to Bowie Elementary school to drop off a drink, treats, and card for my friend Jeni. Luckily they let me walk down the halls and hand deliver my gift. She was so excited…love it!

Then headed across town to Wylie to drop off the same set of goodies for Kathryn and her little boy Braxton. Sadly they weren’t so nice and made me leave my gifts at the front desk and deprived me the joy of seeing their smiles!

My next stop was to the post office to mail off Chad’s Valentine’s gift…love him!

Back into the car and up 75 to Reed Elementary in Allen. I picked up my girls favorite Sonic drinks and snuck past the front desk and hand delivered them to my 1^st grade girls.

The best part was that Megan’s class was writing sentences using sayings from those Valentine’s conversation hearts. I was cracking up! Little Luke’s was especially hilarious!

Then I left and went around the corner to Olson Elementary with some Chick Fil A lunch for me and Mindy. Yes…Chick Fil A twice in one day and loving every bite!

I was supposed to surprise Jodi at school by dropping off lunch for her, but her little man Wyatt ended up sick so she stayed home from school. So after the Allen deliveries, I headed back to Richardson to go to Jodi’s house. This change of plans was just what I needed. I got to sit on Jodi’s couch and do nothing but have girl talk for 2 hours with my best friend!

Finally, I made it back home. Now it was time to set up the living room for the little Valentine’s celebration I had planned for my roommates!

The night before I wrote a poem for them and hung it on the door coming in from the garage because I knew they’d be coming home at the same time after YoungLife club that night.

Then I set up the coffee table with yummy treats, flowers, placemats, homemade cards, and their gifts….matching Valentine’s pajama pants.

I hid in the hallway when they came in and loved hearing their excitement as they read the poem and found all the goodies I’d set up for them.

I mean I LOVE Love day!

We stayed up for another hour just talking about our day and agreeing that it was a great Valentine’s Day…and none of us celebrated with a boy!

And the added bonus was today at school whilst I was subbing. I had just finished giving a TAKS simulation test and Mrs. Hochevar came to the room and told me I had a visitor at the front desk. WHAT? Who in the world would be coming to see me at a school I don't even work at anymore?

I got up there and it was sweet Carson. Carson was in my kindergarten class 3 years ago and is now in the 3rd grade at a different school. Carson had a rough kindergarten year with me as we worked to get his behavior in check. The thing is...I LOVE kids like Carson. He used to throw furniture, destroy my desk, claw at me, and constantly tell me how much he hated me...but deep down I knew he loved me. And he proved today when he and his mom randomly showed up at school to drop off the Valentine's note that he wrote for me. They didn't know I had taken the year off so the Lord really came through with timing since I happened to be up at school today. I love that three years later Carson still thinks of me on Love Day. Oh this made my day!

I look forward to the day when Cupid really comes knocking on my door and shows me what it feels like to celebrate Love Day with a man that I truly love, but until then….

Thank you God for all the LOVE you’ve given me in my life!!

To Granny's House I Go

2011-02-12T10:10:00.000-08:00

I went home last Monday so that I could take my principal test and then planned to spend a week at home hanging out with family and visiting some friends I didn’t get much time with over Christmas break.

I packed a big bag full of way too many clothes, set up dinner and lunch plans with 3 different friends….and then proceeded to spend three and a half days sick in bed at Granny’s, wearing the same clothes each day, and never getting to hang out with anyone.

And let me tell you…there is no place like Granny’s house.

At Granny’s...you can wear the same clothes for 3 days without taking a shower and no one cares.

At Granny’s...you can get homemade biscuits every morning.

At Granny’s...Grandad will go fill your car up with gas the day before you leave and even park it facing the street so you don’t have to back out when leaving.

At Granny’s...you can quietly lay on the couch and watch Wheel of Fortune every night.

At Granny’s...Grandad will work for 30 minutes to fix the battery operated thermometer that talks to you after you’ve already used the old mercury one to check for fever.

At Granny’s...she’ll drive you to the doctor when you’re sick and tell the doctor all your symptoms when you don’t feel like.

At Granny’s...they will go to the store and buy you all kinds of over the counter medicine even when you don’t ask for it.

At Granny’s...she’ll pay your copay and for your medicine.

At Grannny’s...she’ll offer every day to make you whatever you want to eat or go get you anything you want.

At Granny’s...Grandad will hook up a portable heater in your bathroom so that it automatically comes on when you turn the light on even when you say its no big deal.

At Granny’s...she’ll make you your favorite yellow cake with homemade chocolate icing just because.

At Granny’s...they’ll crank the heat up at night because you’re sick, even though it dries up their sinuses.

At Granny’s...they’ll just hug you as you cry and tell them that you hate saying good-bye and say things like, “Bless your heart.”

I realize how lucky I am that I am 28 and can still go be pampered and spoiled by my grandparents when I’m sick. I HATED being sick, but loved the extra time I got to spend with my Granny and Grandad.

Epic Fail

2011-02-09T10:46:00.000-08:00

So yesterday was the day I was scheduled to take my Principal Certification test. I wanted to get it done sooner rather than later, so I signed up to take it in Houston and then just spend the week at home.

The night before my fever came back and I barely slept and of course woke up feeling like crap. The fact that I already paid $120 for the test gave me motivation to get up and get ready because I did not want to lose that money and have to pay it a second time.

Of course being the Little Miss Prepared that I am, I headed out there super early. The test was at noon, but I had to be there at 11:30. So I got to the U of H campus at 10:30. I even packed my laptop and a book in my backpack to kill all that extra time since I would be getting to the testing center so early.

Stupid wishful thinking!

Luckily I quickly found the Visitor Center where I could get a parking permit. I wait in line behind 4 cars and when I get to the window there is a sign that says, “CASH ONLY”…what? I told the lady I didn’t realize it had to be cash and she said, “Sorry…move along!” I kept my choice words for her in my head.

I proceed to drive down random streets all around campus looking for a gas station, store, or ATM somewhere and praying that I won’t get lost and not be able to find my way back to the Visitor Center.

20 minutes later I find a stand alone ATM and get my cash and say, “Thank you Lord. I’m sorry I was so impatient. Everything will be fine now.”

Damn wishful thinking!

I go to pull out of the parking lot onto the street that I know takes me straight to the Visitor Center. 2 minutes earlier there was no one on said street…now when its time for me to pull out onto the street there are 30 cars waiting at the red light and absolutely no way for me to get on the street. So I pull out and go in the opposite direction.

Luckily I have a good sense of direction and am pretty sure I know how I can get back to where I need to be. I’m ~~speeding~~ doing my best to be time efficient and get to the light where I know I need to turn and what do I see…

NO TURN ON RED

Are you freaking kidding me? It of course is the one light that stays on red for what seems like 10 minutes.

I finally get to the Visitor Center, get my parking permit, get directions for where to park, and head on my way.

I wipe the one tear off my cheek because now that I have my permit and know where I’m going I know for sure it will all work out.

Damn *%$#*@ wishful thinking!

I pull into the parking lot and there is NO WHERE to park at all and I’m one of like 20 other cars trying to find a spot.

This continues for the next 40 minutes of me pulling into random parking lots and discovering yet again there is nowhere to park, wipe more tears from my face, and slowly watch the clock in my car inch closer and closer to 11:30.

Finally through teary eyes I notice the clock finally says 11:30. I’m way on the other side of campus and still driving around.

I admit defeat and call a friend crying and ask if I can come over and hang out at her house for awhile. Love Robin for just saying, “Come on” with no questions asked.

I cried all the way back to Pasadena…pathetic I know!

I’ve come to the conclusion that they probably shouldn’t certify someone to run a school, if they can’t even figure out a parking lot on their own. Maybe this is what happens when you get your Masters online!