Christmas

I have to admit that this year I had trouble getting into the spirit of Christmas. It just didnt feel like Christmas to me. I know thats weird.

I love Christmas time. I love what we are celebrating, I love the family time, I love the relaxation, I love the Christmas songs and Christmas movies. I watch Christmas movies year round. Usually every Christmas break, I get out all of my Christmas movies and watch them, numerous times. I usually finish most of my shopping by the beginning of December.
I listened to little Christmas music and didnt finish a single Christmas movie this year. I finished my Christmas shopping 3 days before Christmas. I did do a lot of relaxing and I desperately needed that.

Sad to say but I made myself focus on what Christmas was really about and then I got to thinking. An infant, something so small, so precious, so helpless, so dependent, was sent to us. He wasnt sent as a king, he wasnt sent into a family of wealth or honor, his birth was . . . simple. He was born to a woman and a man, young and unmarried. There wasn't a parade in His honor or a marching band playing to announce his arrival. Shepherds came to celebrate, shepherds . . . . nothing special about shepherds.

BUT his birth was something very special. He came for one purpose and that was to save. To save unworthy, obnoxious, rude, selfish, greedy, sinful, dishonorable people. And in the end, as BJ said in his sermon on Christmas Eve, we have to ask why? Why did God choose to have Him come in such an unworthy way? Why did God choose to send Him at all? It doesn't make sense! And the answer, though it's short and seems uncomplicated it's so beyond me, he came out of LOVE! I can't fathom or begin to understand this love. I know its there and I know that it only comes from Him but I don't understand it.

Why do we choose to celebrate His birth once a year? Something amazing happened, long time ago that changed the world and we celebrate it ONCE a year. We celebrate graduations, birthdays, other holidays, super bowl, BCS championship games, the Cowboys win (though not very often), we even celebrate the return of our favorite TV show. We celebrate a lot of things once a year or more.

My challenge to myself and to those that read this is to celebrate His birth, His life, and His resurrection every day. Remember what His birth brought to the world. SALVATION! Remember what His birth is still bringing to the world, HOPE! I was created in His image and others should see that, They should see me celebrating Him everyday!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone!

Just Breathe!!

So lately it seems as if it has been one bad thing after another. So I am dedicating this blog to all of the positives in my life. I have learned through life that it is really easy to focus and concentrate on those negatives even when there are plenty of blessings around you. Sometimes we just need to take 5 minutes or so to remember the positives.
These aren't any order in particular just randomly.

1. My job- though my job causes me stress I absolutely love it. I love my students and how sweet they are. I have one student that every time she makes a mistake she just smiles at me and says I love you Ms. Jowell and I know you still love me. That's awesome that I can be a part of that!

2. My friends- I have some amazing friends. Though I have a handful of close ones, that is all I need. I'm not one of those people that makes a lot of deep connections but with those that I do, I cherish it.

3. My family- I have some amazing family members. A sister that brings me lunch and listens to me ramble like crazy. A brother that just makes me laugh everyday. Another sister that brings me sopapillas while I study. A handful of grandparents that care and love me. Parents that love me. Wonderful aunts and uncles and the list goes on. (sorry I couldn't mention them all)

4. Levi- I know its weird but his loving is so sweet and much needed. When I am sad or crying he always crawls in my lap and loves on me. The poor thing, when watching Extreme Home makeovers, when I bawl like a baby, he doesn't know what to do. :)

5. An education- A college degree that I earned and the diploma hanging on my wall to remind me of the accomplishments. A 4.0 in grad school! Whoop whoop!

6. An apartment- With awesome neighbors and cheap rent! ;)

7. A car that goes! Nuff said! :) Though its not a Mercedes Benz or Lamborghini, which I know I just misspelled, it does run and I am thankful for that.

8. An amazing Lord that loves me unconditionally and knows me better than anyone, including Levi. He provides for me and is faithful when I am not.

9. Decently good health- though there are some health issues its nothing serious nor fatal! LOL But it could be worse. I had a weird dream the other night that I had cancer and fishing everyday for 2 years cured it! I know weird and that was the sane part of the dream.

10.I need for nothing- I have more than what I need and I don't have to stress about meeting those needs, I know that they will be met.

For those that read this I encourage you to make a list of all of the positives in your life. I can guarantee that the good will outweigh the bad. There definitely seems to be more bad in the world than good but God is good and if He is in your life then Life is good! God is good all the time, all the time God is good!

Catch up time! :)

So yep its been a long time since I have posted anything on this but I find that it relaxes me and right now with finals time and end of the semester at work, I need to destress some way! So this semester sounds like a good place to start. Work has been crazy . . . I wonder sometimes how much worse this world can become. Parents no longer believe that students can make mistakes but only the teachers can. Parents no longer believe that teachers are adequate and yes adequate to teach their child. Teachers arent adequate to teach but experts to teach, in my opinion at least compared to some of the parents. Its just sad what the education system has turned into. A student stole out of my purse and Im pretty sure it wasnt the first time but this time he was caught in the act. I guess I am just one of those people that people believe they can take advantage of . . . my car got broken into less than a month after the student stole from me. Goodness! :)

School, Sam school, has been good. I really really enjoy my math class and since no one reads this I can brag and will say that I am really good at the class. I am really good at going to school. I have managed to balance work and school and will come out with A's in both grad classes. I feel blessed that God has given me the determination and will power to pursue a higher education but also the dedication to both schools to be successful at both. Dont get me wrong it is and can be very stressful especially when everything is happening at the same time, kinda like at the end of both semesters and UIL and Christmas and . . . the list goes on.

Spent this afternoon talking to a student about her beliefs and yes I know its illegal . . . oh well. She and her entire family believe in reincarnation. She believes that she will become a butterfly when she dies because she feels shes been a good person and has been "beautiful" to others like a butterfly. She believes in no higher being and no creator. She believes that humans were created when organisms . . . mutated and over time changed into what we now are. When I asked who decides what she becomes (because then that would mean there is a higher being) she said that she does. But then I asked then wouldnt everyone come back as something wonderful and she said no that when the person is deciding they have to naturally be honest about it. Yeah we are still working on that subject. I told her the story of the candy cane, Thanks Denise Franz for sharing it in 1st priority and giving out copies because I hung it on my wall and she read it. She made the comment "Holy Jesus" and I told her that I knew Jesus was holy but that I didnt realize that she now knew. She just grinned. I told her about the great ministries that are happening at my church and she asked why we do them and I told her out of love. We believe Christ wants us to serve others and show them love as he has for us. She just nodded but I could see the wheels turning. So please pray for that. I have been talking to her for now 2 years so maybe something is changing.

Wow this is long, well I guess til next time!

Remember Christ is the reason for the Christmas season! Not gifts, not santa, not even family but Christ.

Single

Single . . . me? yeah . . . I have some issues . . .

Cuddling annoys me

Seriously I dont like being touched when I sleep. I dont like feeling breath on me, and that would be Levis breath not a man.

I sleep in the bed diagonally!

I even tried last night to sleep facing the correct direction and I woke up diagonal!

I don't really enjoy being touched!

When I sit by someone I don't enjoy them touching me, at all! And I really HATE my calves being touched

I don't like to share

I dislike sharing so much that you would think I am an only child. Now I will share but its not my favorite thing to do!

I don't like to cook

Now I know that this isnt a deal breaker in a relationship but for me its just another thing on the list! :)

I break out!

Yep you read that correctly! I break out when I am touched! Sometimes its barely anything and sometimes its full blown hives . . . . could cause some problems in a relationship!

Just to clarify . . . . why I enjoy being single!

My dog!

My dog doesnt talk back, doesn't require cooked meals, can be locked up, doesnt care if I call him, doesn't call to know where Im at, listens when I talk, and doesn't tell me to shut up.

Remote!

I choose what I watch, when I watch it!

The bed!

I dont have to share the bed or the covers! I sleep all over the bed and enjoy all of the covers. Now that I have Levi trained not to take the covers or my pillow . . . . . ahhh its wonderul

Chick-flicks!

I can watch chick flicks whenever I want! Most guys dont care when I want the game on, they do care when I cut it off part way through the game when I get aggrivated. But guys usually dont care to watch Titanic or Casablanca. There are some days I just want to spend the entire day watching chick flicks!

My hair

Now I know that this sounds silly but I can wear my hair any length and any color I want. I hear so many ladies say "he likes it long" or "he likes it brown" etc. . . . now thats not all men but its just another reason!

There is so much more to these lists but right now this was all I had on my mind! :)

IN GOD WE TRUST

Today as I was doing laundry and admiring the many different state quarters that I had in my pocket I began to wonder if all American money still had "In God we trust" written on it. To my surprise yes! Now I know I should of known for a fact that it was but I started to think about it.

Many people, Christians included, believe that Government and religion should be seperated. I don't think I believe that.

If you do believe that there should be a seperation then this is my question for you "Why does it then matter what religion Obama or Bush or any other public official is?" I can tell you why! Because we know that with religion comes a set of morals, a set of beliefs, a set of guidelines to how we live. And that is not just the Christian religion. Many religions have a set of morals, beliefs and guidelines on how to live. We care if our leaders are Christians because then we hope and believe that he is going to live by Gods guidelines. The guidelines that this country was built on. The guidelines that our money and other American things (statues, documents, etc) still to this day proclaim.

What bothers me is that our money says "In God we trust" but as a whole that is not what we believe. Now there are many that do, and many that say that do (but they don't). If government and religion are seperate then why do we still have it on our money? Money that has been made recently?

When are we going to take a stand and bring this country back to God. Our money proclaims that we are relying on him! Many of our statues and documents proclaim that we rely and trust in Him. Why are we handing our government over to non-believers?

And I did want to point out, it says in GOD we trust, not; in Buddha we trust, in Gods we trust, in Muhammad we trust, in nothing we trust, in money we trust, in man we trust, in Obama we trust, etc. IN GOD WE TRUST!!!!

ABC its easy as 123!!

How you know when you are math teacher!!

Reason #5- When you get bored you begin counting random things! I have counted the tiles during many of workshops!

Reason #4- When working out what motivates you most is trying to make the calories jump by .2 rather than .1. The sad thing is I want to see even numbers not odd!

Reason #3- When working out you are constantly doing the math. If I go this certain speed which burns this many calories, I would have to work out this long to burn this many calories. Or I can slow down to this certain speed and it will only add this more minutes so that I can reach my goal for how many calories I wanted to burn. VERY SAD, I know!

Reason #2- You set your alarm clock to a pallendrome or in general I like times like 9:33 since 3 times 3 is 9. But when you look for weird patterns like that. :) Or when I see my birthday 5:27! LOL

Reason #1: When during church you get 3 text messages, 1 phone call and get stopped twice so people can tell you that rulers are on sale at office depot! LOL Its sad I know. Happened last Sunday!

How you know when you are a teacher!!

Reason #5: When out of town on vacation and you order an alcoholic drink, your first thought is to look around to see if anyone knows you! True story! Sad but true!

Reason #4: When your sole purpose for reading the paper in August is so you can pull out the adds to see what supplies are on sale where! Every year!!!

Reason #3: When you are buying shoes and your first question isnt how much they are but how long they will stay on your feet while at school. Every shoe!!

Reason #2: When the first aisle you walk down in Walmart is the school supply aisle! Always and it makes me happy! :)

Reason #1: When you want to get on to a child in Walmart for sagging! :) Its so hard, everytime I see saggin britches I want to scold the child!

Viva la Vida- Cold Play

I have been thinking about the people in my life. I think there are 3 types of people in my life.

1. Friends that are only there for a season. These come into my life and spend a season or two. They dont stick around too long but they are there for you in those few months or even a few years. At any given time I usually have a good amount of "season" friends. Especially in college I had these.

2. Friends that are "lifers". These are people that are there for you. I may not talk to them everyday or even every week but when I need them they are there. I have very few lifers and I think that that's how it should be. I don't need a lot of lifers, just enough.

3. Then there is family. Yes these can be "season" friends that never leave :) or lifers or just family. Nuff said!

I sometimes wonder if we try to make our "season" friends "lifers". I think when we understand how God is using that friend, either as a seasonal or lifer friend, then we won't get offended or hurt when a seasonal friend has to move on.

Thats all I have for today! :)

Down- Jay Sean

This blog is dedicated to a Ms. Lauren Berry if she actually reads this! :)



Why I dislike cops and (some) state troupers! So those of you that know me know that I have problems with them.
First of all they always seem to pull me over on really bad days to begin with and most have no sympathy at all. Yes I might have been speeding, which to clarify I usually only drive around 5 miles over the speed limit and its only sometimes. Those of you that drive 45 should agree that sometimes its more dangerous to drive the speed limit or a little below it. People drive like freaks and if you are going the speed limit they ride your tale the entire time and its quite dangerous.
I also speed to get away for an 18 wheeler. A girl a few years ago died in a car crash when she caught between two 18 wheelers. So I speed to get away from them, if possible.
I dislike cops because they speed for no reason. They arent above the law. If anything they should be leading by example, and a lot of them don't.
Another point (and this is a fact not an opinion) they stalk young people waiting for them to do something wrong. And then you have the ones that when the speed limit is 70 they go 60! Why?!? To make you paranoid thats why.
There are many more other reasons I am sure to why I dont like cops but I dont want to bore you with my rantings! :) The funny things is I do like men in uniform! :) And with my luck I will marry a cop! LOL

Listen to Blog Playlist

Beautiful- Christina Aguilar

Insecurities

There are some days where I feel very confident and feel that I can conquer the world. And then there are other days when I am very insecure. On my insecure days, I am very insecure. With that, I am worried. I have been very insecure pretty often lately. I know that my selfworth comes from Christ but knowing it in my head and knowing it in my heart are two different things. Right now I know it in my head, thats it.

I question everything about myself . And then it doesnt help that people add to these insecurities. I took a personality quiz last week and I was reading the results to some of my friends. Most of the characteristics I agreed with. It amazes my how accurate these little tests can be. So hear are my results.

ISFJ (introvert, Sensor, Feeter, Judge)
Quiet, friendly, responsible, and conscientious. Work devotedly to meet their obligations. Lend stability to any project or group. Thorough, painstaking, accurate. May need time to master technical subjects, as their interests are usually not technical. Patient with detail and routine. Loyal, considerate, concerned with how other people feel.

So definately not the quiet. But I really felt like that it described me, especially in a work setting. But when I started to read this list to my friends, I refused to read the whole thing to them. One person thought it was HILARIOUS that these results included responsible. I couldnt even get to the end of the first line because it just brought me down SO much that she thought that it was so ridiculous that I couldnt even keep going. And it brought me down even more that the other 2 sitting there didnt stand up for me when they could see that I visibly upset.

I know its just me doubting myself. But I start asking myself this question - Do others see me different than I see myself?

You know what!! As I read over that list, over and over and over and over again, I realized that I am that person. I am very responsible. I am always someone that others want helping them at school because I get it done and I get it done right! I enjoy accuracy and others being accurate- I think that comes with being a math teacher. I love routines and rely on them. And last but not least I care very much how other people feel. Sometimes I care too much how they feel about me or others but still.


The song above is beautiful. I am beautiful, no matter what they say. Words cant bring me down! Now I just need to live by those words! :)

Shout!

So my abs are killing me! Yesterday I went to step class (which kicks my butt anyways) but afterwards is a 15 minute ab class and oh man! I never thought that I could hurt so much after just 15 minutes.

I got an email from my friend Laura. She had this great idea to write everyone in our sunday school class a postcard with encouraging words but the kicker is that we are going to keep a secret so no one knows who wrote them. So we wrote them Friday night and had a blast doing them. Calvin, Laura, Beth and I agreed to keep the secret going as best as possible and to do this we wrote each other as well.

Well the cards came in the mail yesterday. AFter I get done working out here is a copy (not word for word but close) of our conversation.

Tara: Did you write a postcard to Nathan?
me: What he got one too?
Tara: Yep but I didnt get one. I am sure you wrote Nathan's its in your handwriting.
Me: I got one too. Are we trying to find out who wrote them?
Tara: yes we are, and I am sure you wrote his.
Me: I got one too. I am confused are we trying to find out who got one or who wrote them?
Tara: You didnt write his? If not then who did?
Me: I got one written in pink.
Tara: hmmm thats weird. So are you sure you didnt do it?
Me: I got mine today in the mail
Tara: I didnt get one.

This continued to go round and round til I finally, without lying, convinced her that it wasnt me.

And then I talked to her later online. She then got hers and was sure it was Trey until she called Angie and Trey and realized they both got one. It is so funny to me. I am pretty sure that no one has figured it out. LOL It was awesome. The only one that really seemed to freak out trying to figure out who did it was Tara. Everyone just accepted that someone wrote them. It was great to write each person an encouraging note but it was just as fun seeing Tara try and figure out who did it. :)

Tonight we are getting together to finish planning for our New York trip! Dec 28-Jan 1! Yay! I am so ready!
Have a blessed day! :)

Captivate Us- Watermark

Again just another great song.

There is something beautiful in silence. This morning I had the great priveledge of listening and watching Levi and Weezer chase each other most of the morning! Now I realize that when I say "chasing" that this doesn't imply that noise was involved. If you ever have the pleasure of seeing these two together at the same time you will soon find out that their "chasing" involved A LOT of growling, barking and a mix of all kinds of random noises. And these noises are LOUD!

I say that there is something beautiful in silence. After 2+ days of them "chasing" each other they both are calm! We are currently sitting in the dark enjoying the silence. I am afraid to move, to make a noise, to turn on the light. I fear that once the I make a movement so will they! So I sit here and enjoy the silence, it may not last long but I will enjoy it for now!

I notice on days that I dont spend quiet me time, that I am more anxious. So I encourage you today to find peace and quiet. Find a place to sit and just be. I think its important to spend quiet time with the Lord but I also think that you need a time where you just sit and be. I think it brings peace to your life and a clear head.

I am blessed- Rachal Lampa

There is not really a good youtube video of this song! I have been wanting to sing this song for church! I love it!

So this is the positive blog to yesterdays break down! LOL

I do have some great friends. Dont get me wrong I do have a few lousy ones but I do have some pretty great ones.

I have several friends that are really encouraging and positive. I admire their way of positively affecting me. A struggle of mine is focusing on the good and not the bad. And last night, talking to Diana, and after a few emails with some good friends I was reminded how blest I am. I had a friend email me about getting together tomorrow for dinner, hanging out and writing cards for sunday school. I had another friend invite me to dinner tonight with some friends. I had another one invite me over tonight for a play date with Levi and dinner. What is so amazing is that none of them read this blog. None of them knew how upset I was yesterday. None of them knew I needed good friends to step up. I know that God sent each of them into my life for a reason. Each of them has made an impact on my life for the better. Im not really really close to any of them. But I realized this morning that I have friends that are amazing I just need to surround myself with those friends. :)

Inside your Heaven- Carrie Underwood

I just love that song! :) I wish I could sing it, trust me I have tried and tried and even on my best days I cant even make it sound decent! WOW!

So there isnt really a point to this blog. I just felt like writing tonight. Sometimes I just dont know what to think about things. I like having this outlet. I really have been thinking a lot about what true friendship is and what makes a true friend. Finding a true friend is one of the hardest things, at least for me. I dont know if it is because I am easy to run all over or what. Maybe I just have high standards. I was always told (at least in the case of men) never to lower my standards. If someone is really worth it, he/she will meet my standards.

With very little thinking I am going to list the first 5 qualities I look for in friends. A lot of times I do this, I think it reveals truth, for me. Whatever comes out first is most likely what is really on my mind. Todays blog is that. I am not deleting anything and I am putting little thought into this. :)

1. Someone who wont see me as a back up plan. That might not make sense so I will include an example. A friend wants to see a movie. They call everyone and once everyone says no then they come and ask me! LOl and the sad thing is that they tell me! Ummmmm no!
2. Someone that I can trust. When I tell you something I dont expect others to know about it.
3. Someone that can be there for me. I dont think that one needs explaination but maybe it does. When I call and say I need someone (which doesnt happen often) I dont expect them to say sorry I am tired and going to bed! OK maybe that is a high expectation but I do it for them so it only seems fair to expect it of them. And they take advantage of it so I really expect it out of them when it doesn happen often.
4. Someone that knows when to listen and when to shut up or give advice. This is probably one of the hardest thing for people but it is something I really respect and look for in a friend.
5. Someone that sees me just as valuable as friend as I see them. I dont even know if that makes sense. A lot of times I feel/think that I value someones friendship so much more than they do.

I know that I am sensitive when it comes to my friends. I know this about me but I value friendships. And with that I am hurt when a friend hurts me.

I am tired of crappy friends. And throughout today I have been thinking, I guess more making sure that I am a good friend to those I call friend. And I think I am. I would drop pretty much anything to help a friend. I would drive 4 hours just to see them and to stay at someones house I dont know just to see them(when I hate driving), I would drive to their house just to turn on their porch light when I know they are scared to come home to the dark, I would dog sit or even just go over there with short notice to let their dog out, I would come sit with them when they need a friend no matter what I have going on . . etc I have driven to so many friends house for whatever in my pajamas because I know they needed me. I am willing to fly to Midland to see a friend, drive to college station for a short lunch since I know that is the only time they can, text them constantly working around their schedule, etc. . . . seriously I feel I am a good friend.

Wow it does feel good to vent! :) And those of you reading this are great friends to me! :) I am just one of those people that will continue to let people run over them. No offense to Diana but Diana and my dad are the same way. And of course I cant say or do anything about it! I think I said something to one of them once and they just listened hugged me and then nothing changed. LOL! I guess they were in shock and then wrote it off as Christi having a mental breakdown! I do tend to hold things in and then boooooommmmm! Again a family trait (Diana lol though you have gotten better at it).

Well I am stopping there! Sorry to bore you with my mad ramblings. Its late, Im aggitated and I havent been feeling good for like 5 days now (and no I will not being going to a doctor anytime soon) that is not a good combo, EVER!

Dancin in the moonlight -toploader

So today's title has nothing to do with what I am about to write about, it just happens to be the song in my head. Sometimes I spend more time thinnking of a song for the blog then actually writing the blog itself. So from now on whatever song is in my head is what the title shall be.

Dancin in the moonlight is probably my favorite song of all time. Crazy I know. If you listen to it, which I suggest, I dont think it is the type of song you would imagine to be my favorite. I am trying to post it below we will see if it works!



So funny story that I keep meaning to share but keep forgetting and its not about Levi. I will give everyone a chance to catch their breath after finding out its not about Levi . . . . . . . OK ready? So the last Friday that I had Kylie we decided to pick up Carson to go swimming with us. It was great. I was worried about taking a 3 year old swimming but it went great. Until . . . . it was time to go. We got out of the pool and I dryed off and handed my towel to Carson (since I forgot his) and I told him to start drying off and he began to so I went ahead and started getting dressed. All of the sudden I hear whispers and feel people looking at us and I knew it wasnt because I looked Hot in my bathing suit. So I look at Kylie and shes getting dressed just fine and I turn to see butt cheeks. Yes my wonderful cousin Carson decided to get naked. Not only was he standing their naked but he was turning in circles smiling at everyone around him. I told him to put his bathing suit back on and he just smiled up at me and stood frozen. I had to quickly grab his bathing suit and dress him. Oh wow, I know parents are probably use to things like that but not me! :) All I could do was smile and keep walking.

So point of the story. Never, never, never expect a boy to dry himself off and get dressed while at the pool without adult help. Especially a boy that enjoys being naked. :) I then and there began praying more for Linda than I already was! LOL

That's what I love about Sundays - Craig Morgan

One of my all time favorite songs! I guess because it reminds me of what is beautiful about Sundays. Sundays are the designated day of worship for Christians but it also a day of rest and spendin time with the ones you love. This song just describes what the perfect Sunday to me sounds like! :)

Raymond's in his Sunday best, he's usually up to his chest in oil an' grease.
There's the Martin's walkin' in,with that mean little freckle-faced kid,
Who broke a window last week.
Sweet Miss Betty likes to sing off key in the pew behind me.

That's what I love about Sunday:
Sing along as the choir sways;
Every verse of Amazin' Grace,
An' then we shake the Preacher's hand.
Go home, into your blue jeans;
Have some chicken an' some baked beans.
Pick a back yard football team,
Not do much of anything:
That's what I love about Sunday.

I stroll to the end of the drive,pick up the Sunday Times, grab my coffee cup.
It looks like Sally an' Ron, finally tied the knot,well, it's about time.
It's 35 cents off a ground round, baby cut that coupon out!

That's what I love about Sunday:
Cat-napping on the porch swing;
You curled up next to me,
The smell of jasmine wakes us up.
Take a walk down a back road,
Tackle box and a cane pole;
Carve our names in that white oak,
An' steal a kiss as the sun fades,
That's what I love about Sunday,

Oh, yeah. Ooh, new believers gettin' baptized,
Momma's hands raised up high,
Havin' a Hallelujah good time
A smile on everybody's face.
That's what I love about Sunday

Just the two of us, we can make it if we try . . . - Will Smith

Today I found out that my lovely, wonderful, dog has cataracts, I guess just in one eye. They said that its really really unusual to find cataracts in a dog as young as Levi. He's only 15 months old. So I am dedicating this blog to my beloved dog!

I wanted to started with all the things that me and my dog have in common. You may think that this is weird but we have A LOT in common!

1. We both like to have people play or brush our hair! Crazy I know but it puts both of us to sleep. Diana can testify to how much I love having my hair played with and Levi will let me brush him for hours!!

2. We both drink a lot! So Levi goes through a gallon of water every other day. I drink more than that. Its only noon and I have already had 2 glasses of water, 1 glass of sprite and 2 glasses of diet coke!

3. We both enjoy a good nap. In fact we curl up together on the couch and sleep. Yesterday we both took a 3 hour nap, crazy I know!

4. We both LOVE pizza! Every time I order or make pizza he somehow ends up stealing a piece or one time the entire box. Needless today that we both indulge in this unhealthy obsession.

5. We both enjoy sitting on the porch. I like to sit in my chair out there and read while he walks back and forth usually with a ball in his mouth! :)

6. We both enjoy the same pillow. So I bought this new pillow a few months ago and he constantly tries to steal it. He has his own pillow but its not the "good" pillow! LOL

7. We both like to sprawl out when we sleep. I sleep diagonal in my bed usually spread out all over the bed and he sleeps will all four legs out! So crazy!

8. We both sleep better with the TV off. In fact I have a lot of trouble getting to sleep at night with the TV on. Sometimes I can but I sleep better with it off, and Levi usually wont fall asleep at all with the TV on unless he is absolutely exhausted.

9. Our appetites are different from day to day. Some days I am really hungry and others not so much and he is the same way. Neither of us consistently have the same appetite.

10. We both are creatures of habits. I can buy him a new toy and he will still only play with the old toys that he loves. I eat the same thing almost everyday. I get the same food from certain restaurants and even eat at the same restaurants consistently.

11. We both love people. He will go crazy to say Hi to someone. Im not usually as excited as he is but we both enjoy people.

12. We both are loud. His bark is loud and he is always barking at something (we are working on this and it is getting better but its still an issue) and I am always talking. We both enjoy using our voices! :)

13. He hates to clean and I hate to clean. I come home from work always to a mess. If he didnt find something to tear up then all of his toys are spread all over the house and guess who gets to clean up after him. I think that if I clean up after him then he should clean up after me, right!? Needless to say my house is never fully cleaned.

14. We both have irritating skin. Anyone that knows me knows that I whelp up and break out into hives and my skin is so itchy ALL the time. Well Levi is bald on his backside due to his itchy skin. At least Im not losing my hair over it, yet!

15. We both get told how beautiful we are! :) LOL actually he gets told how beautiful he is at least once a day. I dont get told anywhere near that much (though I wouldnt mind)!

16. Neither of us enjoy being in a car! I hate driving and he hates going places. We both can handle driving in town but once we get out of town, I get tired of being in a car and he gets anxious and begins to bark.

17. We both enjoy couch lounging. I can just lay on the couch doing nothing. I enjoy just lounging, the TV doesnt even have to be on. He is the same way! We just lounge together. Good times, good times.

18. We both enjoy people watching. Of course I actually just watch people and he actually is eyeing them down! :)

19. We both love the rain. I love just watching the rain, sitting on the porch. Rain is one of the biggest joys in my life. Levi loves the rain but he enjoys more of the after affects, I guess really its just the rain puddles that he absolutely loves!

20. Last but not least he is my baby and I am his momma! We are family!!

There is a lot more that we have in common but I didnt want to bore my one fan (Diana) with more than 20 points! :)

Faithful, so faithful to me!

Today as I was swimming with Kylie I started to think. I had been working with Kylie, my cousin, learning how to float on her back. As she would lay her head back and begin to rise up almost immediately she would stiffen up and then begin to sink. Though she was in the shallow end and could touch she was just too scared. I would hold her up and then slowly take my arms away and again she would sink. I told her to relax but still she was as stiff as a board. I finally pulled her aside and asked what was the problem. She told me that she was going to drown. I asked her, do you trust me? She shrugged her shoulders then nodded yes. I asked her if she trusted herself? She shrugged her shoulders again and nodded yes. We tried again and she still sank.

As I floated on my back looking at the clouds as she swam I started to think. Why does floating come so naturally to me? Why is such a struggle for her? And then I realized though she was saying she trusted me and herself, her fear was more overwhelming. I thought about that. How I tell Jesus, yes I trust you but my fear overwhelms me and takes over. Just like Kylie I let the fear take control rather than my faith and trust.

I started thinking more about floating. I thought about how at peace I am while I float. And then I thought about it. When I am trusting in Him and letting Him carry me, I will be more at peace. And with experience I have gotten better at floating. Now I dont have to even think about it. The more I put my faith and trust in Him the better I am going to get at it and the more it will become natural to me. (all of this is in theory of course)

I am amazed at how one little swimming outing with Kylie can turn into a revelation on how awesome our God is. Today I got my financial aid info back from SAM and they are offering me only loans. I dont understand this since I am a teacher at a low paying (but absolutely wonderful) district and would definately agree that I am an in-need student but they dont. I dont really know what I am going to do but after this afternoon I have to put my faith in Him. "For He's been faithful, so faithful, so faithful to me."

I dont know who sings this song, I just know our choir sings it.

Wheel of the World- Carrie Underwood

God put us here on this carnival ride.
We close our eyes, never knowing where it'll take us next.

Though this blog is not really about what that song is about I really like that line. So this week I can't stop syking myself out about going back to school while teaching. It should be interesting. So I will be teaching/working atleast 50 hours a week, teaching a bible study once a week, going to school two nights a week, and hopefully working out 3 times a week. Now that might not sound like a lot to you (the one person that reads this) but it is to me. I am worried that I can't handle it. But then I remember (going back to the lyric in the song) that God puts us on this crazy ride and though we might not know where it is leading or even how it will end (in the case of roller coasters) but we have to put our faith in God. We close our eyes and trust in Him. Knowing that He is not only working the control panel of the ride but he designed the ride and everyday he rides it with us.

I don't share this blog with everyone since its boring and all but as my lovely sister put it in her blog, it feels good to write and relaxes me. It feels good to put it out there.

Funny story, and yes its a Levi story as it always is! :) I was in a deep sleep the other night, I mean a deep deep sleep. All the sudden in my dream I feel like I am dying, like there is weight on my chest and I cant breathe. In my dream I assume I am having some kind of heart attack or something. I quickly wake up to find Levi sleeping on my chest. It's not just his head, his entire body is on my chest and stomach and of course I couldnt breathe. I mean he is a 42 pound dog, I was having some trouble to say the least. He has this thing where he likes to lay on my chest . . . I know I know hes spoiled! :)

Adios for now!

On the Road Again -Willie Nelson

Tomorrow morning I hit the road for San Marcus! I am going to a math conference where I am one of the presenters. Side note: To all attending that do/don't (since I have one follower) read this, Please do not attend the session that will have the red faced, shaking like she's having a seizure, speaking as though she is having a stroke, female presenting on technology will MELL students. It should should be quite scary. I am not excited about presenting nor am I ready. I feel my heart beating crazily and my knees knocking as I write this. Oh well, too late to back out now. Wish me luck! I ask you to "Say a little prayer for . . .me" and peace out til I get back! :)

Sing a song about my life!- George Strait

10 things about my life!

1. I am a C, I am a C-H, I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N!
I accepted Christ when I was 7 years old at VBS at University Heights Baptist Church. Now as some of you know I did not live in Huntsville yet but my grandparents did.

2. How much is that doggie in the window?
Levi James Jowell! Is my precious baby. He is a 1 year old, 40+ pound German Short-haired pointer/rat terrier mix. He is crazy and hyper and I love and adore him! :)

3. ABC its easy as 123!
I teach 7th grade math at New Waverly Junior High! I LOVE my students and love my job! My job can be stressful but its is so worth it!

4. Sing, Sing, Sing!
I love to sing, hence song lyrics/titles for my blog entries. I almost always have a song in my head and a lot of the times it doesn't stay there!

5. Crazy, I'm crazy for feeling so lonely!
I'm crazy or random or maybe even both. Ok probably both. I think everyone has a little crazy in them, its just a matter of whether they let it out or not! :)

6. We are Family!
I love my family! I have a huge family and yes most of them are crazy/fun as well. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

7. You've got a friend in me!
I have awesome friends! They are there for me and serve as a family when my family isn't around.

8. All the single ladies, all the single ladies!
I am single and I am enjoying it! I am not ready to jump overboard (inside analogy/joke).

9. Sisters, Sisters there was never such devoted sisters!
So Diana, my sister, is sitting by me as I write this blog and she thinks that she is important enough to get her own number. That song is perfect for us! :) I wore the dress, she stayed home. She didn't get a gentleman from Rome (he's a non-Mexican Mexican). I do love my sisters (all of them).

10. Wide open spaces!
I couldn't think of anything for the tenth thing. But I do know that I am excited to whatever lies ahead. I know that God has a great plan for my life and I look forward to what it holds. I am started Grad school this fall and I am really excited about where that will lead and what it will bring.