Thoughts of the Day

As I sit here today eating lunch and enjoying my day off. I long for God to make all the different paths/plans clear to me. My prayer for this year is to be planted. I have a doctors appointment with most likely talk of surgery in the very near future. I am getting information about going to Uganda this summer to volunteer at a baby home, full of orphans that need love! Then there is Spring Break, I am thinking about taking a trip using frequent flier miles and a voucher I need to use by June 1st. Oh, and I am scheduled to have my wisdom teeth taken out so I can start braces. Ya, won't braces at 30 be cute! :)

So this is my prayer today- For he himself is our peace... (Ephesians 2:14a)

When I start to feel overwhelmed I have to remember that HE is my peace!

Weekend Recap

My immediate family had not exchanged presents and celebrated Christmas all together. So what better time then half way through January- ha! We all met up at Emily and Tyler's house in OKC. We had a great time! My sisters and I went in together and got a photo book for my parents. They loved it, tears were shed, so I guess it was a good gift.

Nana and the girls

I am in love with the idea of photo books. Since, we are now in the digital age, we take pictures with our digital cameras and the pics never leave our computers. My friend, Lyndie, introduced me to Blurb- http://www.blurb.com/. An easy and high quality program to make books! I am making "year books", I start in January and add pictures in order through December. It is like digital scrapbooks!

This morning I tried a new church, City Church- http://www.citychurchtulsa.com/. My prayer for this new year has been that I would be planted! I am going to go back next week and pray if this is a church God wants my to get plugged into. The first official service is January 30th. Three couples moved to Tulsa to plant this church. They have a vision to love and serve the people of Tulsa!

After a four day weekend, I am preparing myself to return once again to the life of 4 year old land!

Cold/ Ice Day

I am dreaming of a place far away.....

Today, I didn't have school because of the cold temp across the whole state of Oklahoma. So many children walk to school, it is very dangerous. BUT it is nice having days off! Today, I went shopping, alone! I love shopping by myself, I just roam around. Today was definitely a ME day! Now I am attempting to do a month of lesson plans. There is a huge possibility that I will be having surgery in the near future, so I brought everything home to be able to start getting ready!
Above is where I would love to be. Yesterday, when my principal announced that we would be off school Thursday & Friday, a serious travel bug hit me. I was ready to pack my bags and head to some tropical location. I tried to find some amazing last minute vacay deal. I did find an all inclusive trip to Cancun. For today, I will be content right here in the Arctic Tundra!

Happy New Year~~ Welcome 2010

I have been away from my blog for way too long. My goal is to keep it up this year. I already feel as if this year is going to be full. We ended 2009 with snow on the ground and many memories of 09. I honestly think 09 was a very hard year. I know no one may read this, but it will be a chance for me to chronicle this year.
As I stop and think what the past decade brought, wow 10 years!!! January 2000, I moved to Stillwater and started college, lots of babies were born, kids grew up, I graduated college, I taught school for 4 1/2 years, took some amazing trips, and the list goes on!
I am excited to see the things that God has in store for this year and this next decade!!

One of my favorite pictures of Christmas!

Summer Time!!!

My only excuse (besides my computer being out of commission) for getting sooo behind on my blog is that it is summer!!! I LOVE being a teacher during the month of July. I have been traveling a lot this summer, I went to Vegas with my roommate, the beach with my family, and a weekend trip to Kansas City with my friend Sarah. I have also been keeping busy with little projects around my house and trying to catch up with friends.

These are my girls, my nieces Emma and Sydney!!

These are my siblings, we naturally stand in birth order.

Me and my dad!!! I love you

I have more pictures to post,but I am having problems. So for now I am going to continue to enjoy summer and hopefully I will chronicle the events of the coming month!!!

Memorial Day

Monday, we celebrated Memorial Day. I am proud to be an American and also the daughter of a veteran. My dad served our country and is a Veteran of the Vietnam War. He is a member of the American Legion in their community. I was able to attend a little ceremony they put on at the cemetery in honor of the men and women who have lost their lives defending our country!

My dad is the one on the far right!

Members of the American Legion

Me and my daddy!

My Parents!

My Brother and Dad

Memorial Day wouldn't be complete without a trip to visit the graves of my dad's parents and sisters. When my dad was eight years old in 1956 a tornado took their lives. I don't think a person is ever the same after such a horrific event. I think back of how it must have been for my dad and I begin to cry. A few years ago I found a picture of him standing in front of a Christmas tree with his grandfather. The picture is dated 1956, which was his first Christmas without his family. I can't imagine what it was like for him. I just want to pick up that little 8 year old broken hearted little boy and hug him. He has such a tremendous memory, he remembers so much of his family. I told my dad he needs to write a book of his life.

We were walking to the graves and right behind the graves

I discovered a bird's nest in the grass.

This is the grave of Grandma and Grandpa Bevel. God's hand was on my dad after the tornado and they raised my dad. I never met them, but everything I have heard about them makes me believe they were wonderful people. One day in heaven!!

To the grandparents I never knew, thank you for bringing my dad into the world. I know your time was short on this earth, but you have forever left an imprint on the lives of your son, daughter in-law, six grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. Your family does not let your lives be forgotten!! Much love and you are missed!!

Happy Birthday to my Sister Kristin

I wanted to wish my sister a very Happy Birthday. She is two years older than me, though when I was young I always thought I would be able to catch up to her. Ha! She is one of my best friends and I have shared some of the best moments in life with her. I was there when they welcomed their first child into the world and again when her son was born. I stood beside her as her Maid of Honor when she married Chris. We have walked through the happiest and also some of the darkest days together. I am proud of the woman she has become.

I pray that this year brings her much joy and happiness. That this year she will continue to walk in the plans that God has for her life. I also pray that God gives her wisdom and strength to be the wife and mother that glorifies our Savior. You are amazing and I love you sooo much!!