Memorial Day

For Memorial Day some family from my dad's side came in to visit. Last year was the first time I met most of them. My mom and dad put a lot of time, effort and money into making this weekend happen. So, Thanks! It was great to see everyone again. We really appreciate them traveling to Arkansas.

We would like to thank the brave men and women of the Armed Forces, and remember those who have lost their lives defending our freedom.

I would like to personally thank; Grandpa Lester, Uncle Joe, Grandpa Jim, Grandpa Tom, Uncle Jim and other friends and family that have served in the military. THANK YOU!

Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!

Proud

I am so proud of Kinnison. A few months ago I talked her into donating her hair. I picked her up today and her hair was a mess. I decided today would be the perfect day to get it cut. She looks so cute with it short. I am so proud of her for thinking of others.

Update.

Grandpa wasn't able to have his surgery on Tuesday because the heart doctor didn't OK it. He found something on the echo. Grandpa went in to discuss the echo and was having atrial fibrillation. So, he goes on May 26th to have a heart cath. Once that is resolved they will schedule him for the other surgery. Luke's grandpa has worn a heart monitor on more than one occasion and they figured out he is also having atrial fibrillation. So, he is going to Springfield to have surgery. I am not sure what day that is going to take place.

Lolly is doing OK. She goes back this week for another glucose curve. We will probably be increasing the amount of insulin she gets. She is still very lethargic, but is eating again. She has lost 30 lbs so I am very happy she has her appetite back. Tator is also going to the vet. He is getting neutered. We haven't told him yet.

I found out last Monday that I did not get the teaching job at Prairie Grove. I have applied at a lot of schools. Please pray that I find something soon!

Thanks for the prayers.

Happy Mother's Day!

I am so blessed to be the mother of two wonderful, beautiful, healthy girls. Kinnison and Kimber are my life. Being their mom is the best job in the world.  I want to say Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful mom. She watches my girls during the day and is constantly doing things for us.  I can't imagine my life without her.  I am truly blessed! 

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there.  It is difficult, stressful, exhausting, and totally worth it.  

We Did It!

Today was graduation day. I knew going in that I would probably change my mind about walking in my graduation ceremony. I thought about it all week. My family planned a party for us and we were keeping a secret from Luke. The party started at 6:30 and my graduation didn't start until 4. Luke and I got to his graduation at 11:30. His graduation started at 12:30 and didn't get done until almost 3. I had to be lined up at my graduation at 3 and it didn't start until 4. I knew we would be cutting it close and the kids would probably be miserable. The kids were great, but we had to entertain them the whole time. It was WAY past nap time for Kimber. She wore me out. By the time we left Emerson and Kimber had both peed through their diapers. Kinnison knew we were going to the farm afterwards and kept asking when we could leave. I decided that I rather go party than sit through another 3 hour graduation ceremony. So, we decided to take a couple photos and call it good. We got some great pictures. I want to say "Thank you" to Gammy, Pappy, Charity, Ty,Emerson, Kinnison, Kimber, Robin and Jim for coming to watch us. I know that you would have suffered through another four hours to watch me graduate and I appreciate that. I also want to thank Fran, Melissa and Beth again for supporting me over the years. Also, I want to thank Steph, Donna, Mom, Dad, Charity and anyone else who helped with the graduation party, everyone that came, and for all of the gifts. We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family in our lives. It feels great to finally be finished with school!

More Prayers.

I would like to ask for some prayers. My grandpa is going to have exploratory surgery next Tuesday. Please pray that he breezes through the surgery and recovery and that the diagnosis is good. Also, please say a prayer for my grandma. She went to the doctor today for a sinus infection. They did an x-ray and found something above her eye on the x-ray. They aren't sure what it is. Luke's grandpa is still having some heart issues and just returned his heart monitor today. Please pray that they figure out what is going on.

Last but not least, please say a prayer for Lolly. Thursday night I noticed that she was running into things and her eyes were cloudy. I took her to the vet. He said she had cataracts because of old age. I felt like something else was going on. She hasn't been herself for a while. Luke took her to our regular vet today for a checkup and bloodwork. She was diagnosed with diabetes. The diabetes caused the cataracts. She may have a little vision, but is pretty much blind. We built her a pen tonight. She is going to stay out there most of the time. Blind dogs need familiar settings and our garage is too big and full of too much stuff. We will start insulin this week. I hope that I can provide her with the care that she deserves. She has been the best dog and the best friend anyone could ever ask for. She has protected my family, made me laugh, and always been by my side. She is going to be 9 in September. I am so thankful that I have had her in my life. She has been a loyal companion. I hope she sticks around for a few more years...but only if she has a semi-normal life. I don't want her to suffer. Luke and I have had her since before we started dating. She is part of the family. We love you Lolly!

Thank you for the prayers.

Catch Up!

Things have been really hectic lately!

Last Friday Kimber had tubes put in her ears. The surgery was quick, but recovery time was rough. She had a hard time waking up from the anesthesia and she hated the ear drops. She is doing much better now and goes for a check up tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for the prayers and thank you Cassie and Mindy for offering to watch Kinnison!

I finished all of my classes this week. I am sure most of you know this already. I have been counting down for months. Some people in my life have been very supportive and offered words of encouragement daily. You know who you are. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I couldn't have survived without people like you in my life. You believed in me and let me vent when I needed to vent. I appreciate that more than you will ever know. I also appreciate those of you who believe in my ability to be a good teacher. Luke, Beth, Fran- you guys are constantly telling me that I can do it and I will be good at it. Thank you. I am so blessed to have you guys in my life. I have an interview tomorrow at the PG Primary. I have been working there for the past three years. I love it there. Please say a prayer for me. I really need to get a teaching job!

Now that school is done, I have to focus on graduation, my class reunion, NTL and finding a job! Wish me luck!

My new countdown: VACATION!

Fun!

We went to the farm this weekend to work in the garden. I got some cute pictures of the girls. The weather has been beautiful. Kimber is having tubes put in her ears on Friday, so I took her on a date tonight. We went shopping. She got to eat a whole order of french fries, drink sprite by herself and pick out a new Pablo movie. We had a lot of fun spending one on one time together. Please pray that her surgery goes smoothly and for a quick recovery!

Thanks!

Easter Part II

We went to the farm today to celebrate Easter with my side of the family. Every year my mom gets all of the kids kites. It was a great year for flying a kite. It was really windy. We ate a wonderful lunch, flew our kites, hunted Easter eggs and then got a visit from the Easter Bunny!

I chose this quote for Kinnison.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Easter!

Easter Part I

Luke took the girls to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate Ulysses' birthday lastnight. (my parents decided we have to celebrate every birthday at Chuck E Cheese) I stayed home to cook. I got a lot done even though I felt terrible. I have felt bad all week. Kimber still has an ear infection. We will probably both be going back to the doctor this week.

We celebrated Easter with Luke's family today. The weather was wonderful and the girls had a lot of fun. We stopped at Decatur on the way there to participate in an Easter egg hunt. Next, we went to the Easter egg hunt in Sulphur Springs. We ate dinner and hunted more eggs at Luke's grandpa's house. Luke's mom goes overboard. She got the girls giant bean bag chairs, Easter baskets and TONS of candy. She throws out candy instead of eggs. I am guessing Luke and I won't be losing weight this month! We had a great day. We are so blessed!