'It's not easy being green'

There is a frog that lives outside our bedroom window that has learned how to push every last one of my husband's buttons. For the last 3 nights, as soon as we decide to go to bed, the frog so graciously offers to 'sing us to sleep'. It doesn't bother me as much because I'm so exhausted that I fall asleep fast and once I'm asleep- I'm out for the night. Brian on the other hand, has lost countless hours of precious sleep, thanks to our new little friend.
So tonight, Brian has gone from pj's and our comfy bed to up, dressed and ready to kill. Despite the fact that I'm exhausted and cannot wait to be reunited with my pillow, I'm finding this whole ordeal quite humorous. :)
(he's having trouble actually finding the frog) :)

help...

I'm wanting to read a really good book. Any suggestions?

it's been a while...

I wasn't sure if I would even remember my password to login when I sat down to write this tonight- it really has been that long!

The last couple weeks of my life have really worn me out.

School started August 20th. I have 21 sometimes sweet, sometimes sassy 3rd graders. The first day of school went well. I love my school, the people I teach with, and my students. First impressions told me that although it would be tough, this would be a rewarding year.

When I got home that Monday afternoon, Brian was home and he gave me the news that his grandmother had passed away earlier that morning. Harriet Buck was a wonderful lady. I wish I could have known her better. Brian and I flew to Nashville Wednesday afternoon to be at her viewing and funeral.

It was hard to be out for two days during the first week of school. However, I wouldn't trade my time in Tennessee for anything that week. While we were there, I met some of Brian's family I had never met before. I also caught a glimpse of who his grandmother really was. Her funeral was really a celebration of her life and a reminder of her reunion with Jesus, her husband, and her family in heaven. I can't wait to see her again someday.

I am so glad she was able to be apart of our wedding. She started getting more sick just after the wedding. I will cherish our pictures of her forever (Nanny Buck- far right).

After getting home late Thursday night, I was back at school on Friday- looking forward to the weekend to catch up on some much needed rest. When I woke up Sunday, I had a fever of 101, was throwing up, and felt like I had been run over by a truck. I went to work Monday morning (and the rest of the week) fighting these symptoms. When I wasn't better by Thursday, I decided it might be time for a doctor. After describing my symptoms to her, she said she would 'just for the heck of it' test me for the flu. She was shocked when my test came back positive because flu season is typically November- June. I felt like a science experiment because she kept saying things like, 'this is so unusual' and 'you are a really strange case' and 'this is so exciting' as she called 3 or 4 of her doctor friends to give them the news. There was nothing she could prescribe me except lots of rest so that's what I've been trying to do.

I'm still feeling pretty crummy. I am so thankful this is a 3 day weekend. In fact, my only plans this weekend are to sleep, grade papers, and watch UT beat Cal. :)

I am so thankful for my husband. He has been so wonderful this week. He has driven me to work so I can sleep on the way. He's gone to the store early in the morning and late at night to get me juice/gatorade/medicine. He has slept on the couch all week. He has kept the house picked up, done the dishes, and folded clothes. He fed and walked the dog all week. He is absolutly wonderful and I love him. Thanks Baby for all you do. :)

My God is faithful. He always carries me and gently (and sometimes not so gently) reminds me that I cannot survive without Him.

WARNING!

Never, I repeat never, eat at Maryland Fried Chicken.

I ate there for lunch on Monday and I don't think my digestive system will ever be the same.

so much to say...

I really have a lot I could be writing about. There sure is a lot going on in my head right now anyway.

I've read some blogs where it seems as if someone has something they want to say to someone else but instead, they skirt around the issue by writing vague and confusing thoughts (at least that's what it seems like to me). I guess I should think, it's their blog, they can write what they want, but I always go back to thinking that if they are posting on the internet and directing it to someone else, they obviously want someone to hear what they're saying. (it could be too that I'm just not smart enough to understand it!)

Maybe I'm just skirting around how I feel right now. The thing is though, I'm still trying to figure out all that God is trying to teach me. Here is what I've known but has become more evident to me over the last week or so:

1. I have a lot of conditional friends. I've realized that sadly, these people aren't really my friends at all. I say 'sadly' because I really care about them. I'm learning I need to let go (even though I don't want to) because ultimately these aren't the kind of friends I want to have.

2. In this order, I have an amazing Savior, husband, and family. 'Friends' would have been listed next but considering 'what I've learned #1,' that wouldn't make sense. I know I do have at least one unconditional friend. She encourages me no matter what, and I love her deeply. These constants in my life ease the pain of the 'friends' I spoke of in #1.

Ok, so I'm now guilty. I just skirted around my feelings and did the exact thing I mentioned in the second paragraph of this post. I'll take another step though... if you're reading this and wondering 'is she talking about me?' Just ask me, I'll tell you.

I do want it to be clear that I couldn't be happier than I am in my life right now. God is teaching me so much about Himself and myself and I'm so thankful for it. If you are my conditional friend, I would love nothing more than to develop an unconditional friendship with you. I also need to be honest and say that I'm not perfect at this all the time either! However, I have decided to start at least being truly honest with myslef from here on out... and let me tell you, it feels great! :)

the greatest reason for praise...

The greatest reason to praise God is when a person accepts His love and forgiveness. My twelve year old cousin came to Jesus last night. When he got up this morning, he told my grandmother that he couldn't wait to go home and tell his mom, dad, and brother about what Jesus has done for him. This truly is something wonderful and worthy of praise!

in my dreams...

Ok, I'm back. However, if you're gonna read this, don't expect an eloquent outpouring of expression or anything sophisticated or profound from me. I'm not going to be trendy, complex, or confusing. I'm just going to be me.

I thought today that I'd record some of the dreams I've been having. They're weird and it seems as if I've been remembering them in great detail lately so, why not?!

The night before last, I dreamt that I bought my husband a new gun case for his shot gun in the new Vera Bradley pattern. When I told him about it, we both laughed for a while. :)

Last night, I dreamt that I put my puppy in the washing machine and bleached him. In my dream, he didn't get hurt, I was more worried about how to explain to my husband why the dog was now snow white.

Maybe I dreamt about the dog and the washing machine because that's what I see the most of. I can't explain the gun case...go figure! :)

yes, I've decided

I've decided that I'm not 'cool' enough to blog. I was tempted earlier to just delete everything but then I thought that if someone runs across these six little posts, they might smile at the nipple story (story). And then I was thinking, I felt much better after I wrote the things that I wrote so maybe I'd like to come back to this.
I guess we'll just have to see.

thunderstorm warning

on my way home, I mistook the thunderstorm warning with 'nickel' sized hail for 'nipple' sized hail!
it was pretty funny! :)

some thoughts...

The subject of this blog is probably more appropriate for a first blog but, oh well. I went back and forth about starting my own blog because I'm still not so sure that I like the idea of writing my thoughts/feelings/whatever just for other people to read. My previous posts have been more for myself... it feels good to write out how I feel. I know that somewhere deep inside me, I want others to read it (especially the people I'm writing about) but that's not necessary. All of my posts won't be about other people. I'd like to use this as a place where I can record all of my feelings- good or bad. I'd also like to record for myself what God is teaching me and my husband and how He is working in our lives. So, that's why I'm here, doing this. Maybe someday I'll make it a bit more public...for now though, I'm good leaving it as is!

mean girl

Dear Mean Girl,

You added me as your myspace and facebook friend, then you deleted me. You added me again, and then deleted me again. So, I did the most immature thing I could think of- I blocked you and your little dog too! (I've always wanted to use that 'little dog' line... and I really did block your dog)

I know, I know, myspace and facebook are juvenile but I don't care.

I don't like you.

:)

I'm feeling better

"whether you're in my town, or another state - if you're reaching people - loving God and loving others, I am for you! The issue is not style, it's attitude. A "stallion" verses a "jackass" is about attitude not style or
location." byron's blog

To say the least, I appreciate the clarification.

I'm offended

We've decided at C3 to keep the stallions. There are leadership decisions we make that we know will cause some people to leave. And, guess what
- we do this intentionally. I'm not interested in a church with a bunch of jackasses (Byron Bledsoe)

When I read this, I was so offended. You probably think that I am, as you say, a 'jackass.' Well, I'm not. I love Jesus, I love the lost, and I want nothing more than to see people come to know Him (and C3 isn't the only place where this happens!). Just because I don't agree with you doesn't make me wrong. Why are we still blasting other believers? Agree or disagree is fine... I just don't see the need for name calling.

What you say doesn't matter. You are not who I aim to please. This is what I've found:

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Soverign LORD my refuge. Psalm 73:28