Christmas Highlights

I have no photos; I'm sad we forgot our camera. I really am enormously grateful and blessed and the Christmas season affirms this for me. I think about people who don't enjoy going home or who don't have family and friends and it makes me reflect with a grateful spirit. I feel relaxed and rested and have had a wonderful Christmas. We went to Midland to celebrate with the Malouf's. We laughed and cried and laughed a little more. I love the tradition of playing games. And eating, goodnight, I have eaten too much! Take the hankies to Marley and Me...you'll need them! I'm still unpacking our suitcase and gifts...wow, such thoughtfulness...I'm excited to start using everything! Thanks Mitch and Sherry...we had a super time in the Tall City! I do, indeed, think we should make it to Midland more.

I'm excited to see Laci tomorrow and Katie on Wednesday! Then, I'll see the Kenners on Wednesday, too! I can't wait to see my sweet Reece in her adorable outfits that we got her! I'm trying to leave up my decorations just a little longer...I love lighting the tree up and lighting candles in the evening!

Much love,

I'm really spreading the joy...

I've been reading Where the Red Fern Grows to my students over the past month. We wrapped up the book today, and I just lost it. I'm just really spreading the joy! I heard sniffles from the children, too. I couldn't make the tears stop reading the last two chapters. I know I didn't cry this much when I read it in the sixth grade. My students offered to take over reading, but since it's above their level of reading, I knew I had to continue through the quivering voice and wiping my face. I love my dog Dodger Malouf so much. He really is such a bright spot in my life. I cannot imagine not having him, but I know the life span of a dog is much shorter than a humans. If I could make him live forever, I would.

To Dodger:
I love the way you smell like maple syrup to me and no one else.
I love the way you cuddle with me...making your pops jealous.
I love the way you know when we don't feel well or feel sad and mop up the tears.
I love how you like to be held when I get home.
I love the number of nicknames we have given you.
I love the voice we've also given you; I agree, Pops does the voice much better!
I love the way you spring like a bunny when you run.
I love your growl...I think it's funny, but I know you won't bite us!
I love how you hate your Pops and I in the bathroom in the same time. Why? You silly boy.

Aren't dogs a blessing? Aren't books a blessing, too? I love you Dodger Malouf, #1 dog in the whole wide world!

Much love,

Celebrate Christmas

As I reported in an earlier post, Micah and I were apart of the FBC Celebrate Christmas pageant. We had a performance last night and tonight, and we will hang up our dramatic hats for another year. I did get a few pictures before we went out on stage. I didn't send the camera into the crowd since there was a live choir, soloists, and orchestra performing...it was a beautiful show.

I was one of two angels on stage, then there was a 6'8 Gabriel that shone through a scrim in the baptistery wearing wings that shot up at a 45 degree angle. Big hair and lots of makeup for me!


Micah played Joseph. I am in my robe with the metal rods that poked out of the robe so my massive wings hooked onto with PVC pipe.


Joseph (Micah), Mary (Kim), and Jesus (or better known as Kate)


Front view of the heavy wings!


Back view of the wings...they went to my mid calf.


I had lots of fun looking over the manger stable while Micah cradled Kate in his arms. Can you imagine holding the Most Holy in your arms and being charged with the responsibility to be His earthly father? Thank you God for your gift of your Son.

Much love,

Can you have it all?

I want the world. I do. I don't know if I am the most selfish person or if I'm normal. I'm not necessarily talking about material things, but true contentment. My thoughts are so complex it's hard to type, but at the same token I just need to vent. I came home Friday exhausted. Absolutely exhausted. I couldn't fall asleep. I just cried. I was tired and frustrated with myself or school or both, maybe. I even dream about lesson plans and my kids. Saturday I spent the day shopping in Lubbock by myself which was a nice release. It cleared my mind temporarily. Sunday was church and such and then I was back to feeling tired and exhausted thinking about work the next day. I really think about teaching as a gift. It's not meant to be easy, but I don't think it's meant to suck everything you have out of you. I feel like a I give and give, and then I come home and think about my kids, worry about them. It's more than teaching them reading and writing, it's social skills and being kind. It's so different than anything I've ever, ever done. I don't know...can I keep this up? When do you become a quitter? When do you say, I can't give any more? Yes, I realize I've been doing this a whopping 5 months. How do you give everything at work, home, and church. I'm at the point where the desire of my heart is to have a family. Can I keep up working at this pace? I don't know. Right now, I really don't know...especially as I had a rude parent note coupled with vomit on the carpet today. This sounds like a Redbook article topic. Okay, enough.

Much love,

My mom called me Colby Deen this weekend!

I've been watching Paula Deen to appear to be fabulous at family gatherings. Now, don't think I'm doing this cooking business day-to-day, but my kitchen was hot last week. My pies were a hit at Thanksgiving due to Paula Deen. I went to her website, www.pauladeen.com, and found these great, easy recipes that made the great cooks in my family appreciate my baking abilities!

Here's the recipes I whipped up for Thanksgiving...I recommend:

Pumpkin Pie

Cherry Cream Cheese Pie

Apple Pie

Peanut Butter Brownie Cupcakes

I hope you are the star at your party, too! Add a stick of butter, baby and it can't help but be good y'all! I'm channeling Miss Paula...

Thanksgiving was good, too! We spent it with my family in Amarillo. Relaxing, lots of food, a little shopping, we put up our first Christmas tree, and went to the Baylor game.

Much love,