And the winner is....

All right so no one guessed... perhaps you're still pondering..... but, I will tell you the answer.

My new favorite electrical appliance is the CPAP machine. About a month ago Jeremy participated in a sleep study. They diagnosed him with Sleep Apnea. Since then, they have prescribed and approved Jeremy to have a CPAP machine. He got it on Tuesday, March 31. Since then, I haven't heard any noise while sleeping. Last night, and tonight were also the beginning of a new era! I didn't have to wear ear plugs while I slept. It was amazing. It is such a blessing from God to be able to sleep through the night. It was of particular concern to me, because I know that when we have children I'm not going to be able to wear them. So, that is a big reassurance.

Now, I'd ask that you pray for Jeremy as he adjusts to his new machine. I'm sleeping well, but he is still adjusting. So... keep him in your prayers as he begins this journey.

Thanks! Have a good day!

Contest!!

I will give a wonderfully ficticious gold star point to anyone who can correctly guess my new favorite electrical appliance. Let's just say it came yesterday... I don't use it directly... but I'm in love with it... in fact I'll give everyone a hint (that won't really help at all)... I love this new contraption more than I love my dishwasher. (And those of you who know me, know that I LOVE my dishwasher and quite often sing the Ode to the Dishwasher... which only has lyrics of "I love my dishwasher, I love my dishwasher, I love my dishwasher!" belted out at the top of my lungs.) It has done wonders for my work, marriage and overall quality of life!

Start guessing. I'll post the answer... hopefully tomorrow!!

Myrtle Beach Pics!

Well, I know there isn't a good excuse for the lack-o-blog, but... I was on spring break and we went to Myrtle beach. Not to mention there was just a mountain of stuff that I've had to accomplish since the last post.

But... for now, I will indulge people with the few pics I took on vacation.

Self portraits, gotta love 'em!!
I took it from the balcony of our condo!
One of the highlights of our trip was going to the Dixie Stampede.
We usually do Medieval Times... but we wanted a new change.This was the Dixie Stampede goers... Dad, Me & Jessica.
(Gosh this is not a great pic of me.)
We rooted for the North... funny story... when we made our
reservations the lady asked "Do you want to root for the North
or the South?" My response was "The North, because they win!"
She seemed a little shocked... and almost surprised. Hmmm

Will the South rise again? HMMMMM....If you look at the two red-sweatshirted people, you will see my dad & I.
I conned him into participating in the show... the guy asked... and I
in all my excitement said yes.

Again, another funny story. We were taken to an area where they told us our instructions. They were: When you go out there line up shoulder to shoulder. When you are given the sign guys, go to a horse you wanna ride. My dad looked like "Oh, my what did you get me into? How on earth am I going to get up there?" So we walked out... we eyeballed the horses... I said to my dad "get the short one." So the man gave the word, and my dad walked toward the horse he thought maybe he could get up on and ride in our barrel race. Then they showed us the horses they had for us.Hard to tell, but if you look closely, we were given horses on a stick. This was the team for the North. Unfortunately we lost that challenge... but... the North still won! And that's all that matters. Has anyone else been there? Does anyone know if the North always wins, or do they switch it out? My dad said the North has to win or they'd have to change the history books. I don't know, cuz I feel that people would get bored without some sort of thrill of winning. Although, what am I talking about.. there are plenty that think the South did win.

Anywho, that's pretty much the extent of our pictures. I started out taking a bunch, and then just got busy and took very little. Somehwere I have pictures of us golfing. I'm still pretty awful... but hey, it was still LOTS of fun!

We actually have the opportunity to go to Myrtle Beach (for me, it's again, for Jer it's the first time this year) with Jer's family in June. So my question is... of my (small numbered readership) what does everyone else out there like to do in Myrtle Beach? Or what have you heard is fun?

Anyway... Adios everyone!!

70 degrees and W-O-N-D-E-R-F-U-L!!!

Today the weather was absolutely amazing! Franklin and I went for an amazingly long walk today. Needless to say, the dog is almost half dead right now. It was soooo good to just get out and about... we turned off our heat temporarily... and we even had the windows open. LOVED IT!!

Shamrock Shakes!!

I finally had my very first Shamrock Shake!

You may not find that impressive, but about 2 years ago when I was working at the day care we were talking about getting some. (I had never heard of them before that time) When my friend went to get them... they were all out... and then they proceeded to be out every day we tried. Last year I forgot about them.... so today I finally had one. It was pretty good. I'm not sure if I liked it better than Chik-Fil-A's Chocolate Peppermint shakes... but it was still pretty good. I even found a copy cat recipe. So maybe I'll try that on St. Patty's day to be festive! If you try it, let me know what you think!

Talkin' Turkish

I love having my new smaller easy to carry around camera! Last week I took 2 amazing pictures showing our latest wildlife guests on our school property!

Yeah, there were 2 wild turkeys just wandering around the property. I don't know that I've ever been that close to a turkey (unless it was cooked for Thanksgiving). So, I thought I'd share it with you.

I'm appalled.....

I must say, that after working with the junior high age group I am just appalled at the "accepted norm." I just can't help but wonder where did we go wrong? How can they not see the err in their thinking? A lot of times I attribute things to the fact that they're 12 going on 30. But, then I ask myself, why don't their adults in their lives see it either? It came to a climax in the last week or so. I've seen children who I thought I had bonded with lie to my face. Prey on my trust in them, and disappoint with continual lies. I've seen students act impulsively. When as a society did we get away from the "turn the other cheek" philosophy of the Bible, and replace it with an "if they hit you, slug them back... but harder" mentality? Where did we go wrong?

I was asked last evening in a Bible study what do I want to be great in? And after thinking about it for a few seconds (I wanted to really ask myself this question, not just give the "right" answer), I came up with "I want to be a great influencer." I want to make an impact for this world. I want to be remembered by my students as one who not only challenged them academically, but also spiritually.

I would love for God to set my students on fire. (And no, not fire smoting them, of course, I have thought about it in this context in the last few weeks.) I envision a group of teenagers that are so sold out for the Lord that people stand in awe. I would love to see getting together without arguing. Asking a question and getting the honest answer, even if it hurts. I want to influence and be part of a radical movement.

As I've sat here pondering this over the last few weeks, but more so the last 24 hours, I can't help but reflect on "what have I done toward this goal." I know I could have done more. We can always do more.

So I ask that you embark on this journey with me. I ask that you pray with me during this time. Our world is getting scarrier and scarrier. These teenagers are our future... and quite frankly, it scares me if things don't change.

When did RIGHT become wrong? When did we decide that sin was ok? I want change, and I know it starts with a change of my heart. I know it starts with giving it all to the One who is in control, and knows us better than we know ourselves.

I leave asking one more question: Who have you influenced today and how so?