Ft. Worth Stock Show and EDICUT Student of the Year Award

Where to begin! I made it to Ft. Worth in one piece...yes that is I drove the entire time and followed my sisters directions. I must say its a boring drive but the drive to Ballinger was even worse...is hello field of nothing #1 and then hello field of nothing # 2 LOL! Its amazing how much goes into a stock show and how much money some people can spend. Sadly my nieces and nephews didn't make it to SALE...winning and sale are the goals of showing...I have decided however that is a rathe barbaric sport...who judges a cow based how "hmm...will he make good steak!" Thursday when we got there we saw Mark and Lauren show and then sadly we missed Andrew's showing on Friday because he was scheduled or anticipated to show at 11 am but ended up 2 hrs earlier and we were still getting ready...I had my dad with me the whole time and he really enjoyed it that my sister is actually thinking of taking him with her on their next run at Stock Showing in San Antonio and on to Houston if they don't win or sell by then. Below are some decent pictures in my mind of the kids. The funniest part of the show was watching the cows run around like crazy when people would lose them.

I got back into town around 6 ish and went straight to Erika's birthday party. We started off at the Beehive downtown and then ended at The Warehouse (Abilene's signature martini bar). I had lots of fun and it was nice to be around girls and just have some drinks and talk. This morning I woke up for my Student of the Year reception. I thought it was something for other students...umm well I was the only one chosen from McMurry (that is that I know of) so the whole thing was in my honor. That was very surprising. All my brothers came and my sister and dad. They made me speak in front of the whole group and that was WHOA...needless to say I cried because I told them Thank You and how much it was a blessing during this hard time in life. It was a bit embarassing to cry but all my teachers and family understood. I recieved a very nice pen and mail opener. I will get a plaque in March to go in my room and my name was already added to the plaque that hangs in the education building.

Getting my ducks in a row!!

Today is my last day of the week to get things ready and in order for my trip to Ft. Worth and before the weekend. I leave tomorrow at 7 am for the Stock shows. This trip should be interesting...I will be driving the whole way to Ft. Worth and pulling over to switch with my dad right before we hit traffic. I am really hoping to get together with Sharon while Im in the area..it'll be nice to see a friend and just TALK ABOUT LIFE!! I don't know sometimes what I would do without her...she's a wonderful listener. I am pushing to be back in town on Friday by at least 5 pm because my friend/cooperating teacher Erika is having her 30th birthday party at the Beehive downtown and I already owe her since I totally slept thru our lunch date today for her bday. Its certainly going to be an interesting party actually mingling with teachers that I have worked with on a social basis not school!! CRAZY!! So today has been kinda rough emotionally...somethings happen and you just have to push thru them and keep going. I've cleared away most of the flowers that Clara got because they were all dying. I am amazingly still keeping my GIGANTIC PLANT alive still along with the smaller Peace Lillie we recieved. I've been trying my best to keep the house in order ...I learned I can keep up with the laundry while the rest kinda falls off the deep end..so today I've picked up my deep end and Im getting it in order. I feel like all the work Im putting into cleaning is going to be a waste later as shipments of Davids car parts came in today and lord knows how much of a mess he's going to make with packaging and boxes. I've kinda sorta packed but I've got to finish. The only room I have left on my cleaning adventure is the kitchen. It amazes me how much 2 people can have...and our house is pretty small. Well I might get the chance to post pictures of DAVID'S CHRISTMAS as he calls it when car parts come in. I will probably try to do that before I go to bed tonight.

On a side note it has been a God send to have my nephew in town. He has certainly distracted us from life this week. Its crazy how you can stay up till 4 am and still function the next day.

Aside from having a birthday party to go to first thing when I get back on Friday I also have to get myself and my brothers & sisters ready for my reception Saturday morning for EDICUT STUDENT OF THE YEAR. Yes thats right I was chosen student of the year for McMurry's Education dept. Its a small brunch being held and I invited my brothers and sisters to attend. David was attending but opted to give his seat to Chavo so I will also have my nephew!!

Our precious little angel!!

I had not seen the photos from our last ultrasound but today I decided that I would take a look at them. Im not the greatest at reading them but she's wonderful. This is a picture of her face. The nurse has everything labeled. Its been kinda a rough day today..we went by to see Clara this morning and the funeral home brought over some stuff and what our options are as far as her head stone. Even though I know that she is in a much better place its hard to not want her here with us.

I know that she is watching over us because I can feel her with me everyday. She won't let me give up I've realized that. I don't think that she'd let either one of us stop moving forward. I got a call yesterday that I missed from my Dean at McMurry and she was so so excited to tell me some good news. I have been chosen as STUDENT OF THE YEAR for the Education Dept and have a brunch being held in my honor where I'll recieve a plaque. I have to accept this honor in Clara's name. I always joked that she is who helped me pass all my certification exams. I was so determined then to provide her with a GREAT life and I hope that I have.

David just has tomorrow and then 5 hrs on Saturday of work to get thru then he's home for the weekend. Today his mustang got picked up so that we can begin some work on it. Lori's fiance Tim will be doing most of the work but hopefully it'll be done soon. We are also going to look at a new house tomorrow...maybe the small amount of change in our lives will make sense soon. We are also planning on watching Underworld: The rise of the lycans sometime this weekend. David's birthday is also coming next month now to think of what in the world to buy him. Last year we had a Lightening McQueen cake but not sure what I'll pick for this year.

Let's Catch up!!

Well its been forever so it seems since I posted something. I offically graduated and can call myself McMurry Alumni now. It was a wonderful graduation ceremony...SHORT AND SWEET. It was a busy graduation weekend for sure. Aaron's on Friday, mine Saturday and then that night we had our PARTY!! I want to say thank you to Lupe for hosting the party for us!! It was wonderful and yes I still need to write Thank You notes...man one of these days I'll catch up with everything I need to do. Well that following week I started a Long Term sub job at Fannin. All I can say is that is certainly interesting....to say the least. I'll be doing that for another 2.5 weeks after the Christmas Break and I can't wait for it to be OVER...I just want to stay home now and get ready for the baby. I finished out the semester with them and then the Christmas RUSH hit. We didn't get started on our Christmas shopping until Dec. 22nd...yes thats only 3 days before! I am extremely happy to say that DAVID PASSED ALL HIS CLASSES!! Woo hoo!! He's got one semester under his belt now. Since then we've just been hanging out at home and relaxing. We spent time with Chavo over the holidays and tons of time with both families. We well rather he...not so much me...played football with my family on Christmas day. Lets just say everyone was sore...David came home bleeding, my sister with a swollen ankle and Kannika with a severe headache!! We're now in the home stretch to the end of the year and working our hinnies off so that we don't have to go into work on Friday since it is our 7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! We just have today and 6 hrs tomorrow then we get to start the new year celebrations with our families!!