Monday

This upcoming Monday starts my long-term substitution. Mrs. Ross in the 5th grade at Bagley is taking a maternity leave and I will be filling in for her. This position is going to be a great experience for me. I am somewhat nervous about the job but really only because of the discipline problems that this group has. I have heard from so many people that this is a "tough group". Ouch! I will be teaching reading three times a day. I have an advantage on the Scott Foresman Reading Program because that is mostly what I did with Mrs. Mayfield during my student teaching, just a grade lower. Please keep me in your prayers, especially in the beginning, that I will give it my best and that hopefully something permanent will come available soon! Hope everyone has a great weekend :)

Lately

My life lately hasn't been that interesting. Mom had her surgery almost a month ago. Friday will be a month actually. In some ways it seems like longer and some ways it's flown by. I knew this was going to be a long road of recovery but I don't think I realized I was going to be as tired as I am. Mom has been recovering so well and I can tell she is improving everyday. She goes this coming Monday to get the stitches out and a new cast put on for two more weeks and then, hopefully, it's downhill from there. Therapy is supposed to start at week six and we are praying that she can actually put her foot to the floor by then. This would be an appropriate time to thank so many of you who have called, sent cards, come by, brought food, etc. In times like this you really and truly find out who your friends are. Thank you for all you have done.

There have been several times that I have gotten the chance to get out a little and have some "me" time. (Kim, thank you so much for coming and helping as much as you have with mom. I love you to pieces!) One Saturday night we were asked to play down at Tannehill and we had a great time. We had to make a shortened trip just to play and back, no jammin' in the sound room but we did get to go eat beforehand. (By we I mean Patrick and myself). The next Saturday we were asked to play for the City of Sumiton's Verteran's Memorial Group at the Sumiton firing range. There was a shooting competition and they needed some entertainment so we showed up! :)




Below: Rick taking a break on the banjo. I was having to turn my head and listen to speakers. Not the best sound system we have played with.

Below: Someone asked me about the looks....the sun was right on us!!!!!




Below: I love this picture! You can really tell we are feeding off each other!








I'm only ATTEMPTING to play!



We had a great time playing, like always. I am glad that Patrick loves it as much as I do and we both have parents that love to play as well. Hopefully I will have an even better update about mom very soon and some more good news. I start working at Bagley for a lady who is taking a maternity leave within the upcoming weeks so I will try to post again about that soon. Hope everyone has a great weekend coming up! :)

Picture Catch-Up

Here are a few pictures from the Ladies Retreat.....(There was too much fun going on and not enough picture takin')

The rest are pictures from Hailey's 7th Birthday party with family.....

Such a BEAUTIFUL girl!

Brad....natural!

Who needs a guitar when you've got the box?!?!?!?

The video below is Blake on my birthday being his usual, charming self! (The video looks blank but if you will double click on the play button it will work)

Valentine's Day Update

Valentine's Day this year was good. Patrick and I went to Red Lobster and even though we had to wait forty-five minutes to get in, and then an hour and a half on our food (because the waiter lost our ticket), we had a great time just visiting. We ended up kinda laughing about it later. I guess it's better to laugh it off then getting in a knot about it.

When Patrick showed up at my house to pick me up he came in with a box of candy and a card. I thought that was very sweet and he said, "Now let me go get the other half." Other half?!?!? He went out to the car and came dragging in a four foot teddy bear and two dozen roses! I couldn't stop laughing when I saw the bear. His response: "I knew you liked bears so I though I would get the biggest one I could find. I also had to buckle that thang in the passenger seat to get it here!" Oh well, so much for being cool riding down the road!!! I still thought it was sweet nonetheless.

Of course I have to leave you with one picture of my bears and my baby....George!


I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day and many many more. I have lost of picture to update you with so my next post may be a montage of pictures!