My "Nephew"

I know what you're thinking "Did Sean and Rachael have a kid when no one was looking?" Nope. But this kid is the closest thing I have got to a nephew and I couldn't love him any more than if he was my real nephew. Being the proud Aunt that I am...I couldn't hold off sharing any longer with my friends and family that He is walking!!!!! They have a video of him walking on their blog, and I got teary just watching it, so of course I had to play it over 3 more times! And may or may not have watched it again since.

Rebecca, Jadan's mom, has been my friend since one snowy day in the 7th grade when she came to Sunday School at Holladay Baptist. She has always been a rock for me! Now more than ever, I feel I am beginning to truly appreciate the fullness of the gift God gave me with her and our friendship!

Pretty much everyone that reads our blog has been an uncompromising friend to me. It has made all the difference! I love ya'll (If you are in Texas..you have to bust that out)..oh yeah Daisy kind of digs you too!

The Rawhide Easter

Happy Easter Everyone! I generally like to take at least a week to send my greetings, just so it is one that is remembered. Actually, I just like you all to be in suspense for the great pearls of wisdom I will impart next.

We had a great Easter. Daisy had her first Easter basket, and YES everything is made out of rawhide..even the flowers! What kind of parent would I be if I passed that up in the store. Unfortunately Daisy was a little wary of being able to eat such a cute basket but was totally down with devouring the eggs.

Mom and Doug came to church with me. We then met up with my friend Kim who was able to come and have Easter dinner with us. We played games, ate way too much food and just had a good time! Not to be left out, I also got two amazing Easter gifts, an Easter box with a gift certificate to the Gap, some candy and my favorite lotion (how did they know?) from my Dad and Teresa and a Costco run from my Mom and Doug, my fridge is very happy!

My favorite part of the day was being able to be at church. I have shared with a lot of you how hard it was to find a church here in the great state of Texas, and just being HOME...was an amazing feeling. Having people concerned that I had a place to eat Easter dinner and even a friend that I could share with is an amazing gift. God is always wooing me in His grace and love, and I felt that keenly this week. My pastor brought home a solid message of the faith and I am truly thankful for him and all that God teaches me through him.

And that, my friends, was our Easter holiday!

Public Appology

I must appologize to my Brother and Sister...I had not put up a link to their blog until today. I know...its awful. But as it took me so long to put their link on, I put them as my first link in order to make up for my delay..slightly anyways.

This Just In...Boston REALLY sucks!

After just getting off the phone with Boston, I have learned that there is no decency in Boston, something I pretty much knew already. Just kidding. I spoke with the test representatives and my test is not available for a computer test, it is only available as a written test. Thus, I cannot take it again until June 10 (but I know I will pass since this is one of my Texas Transplant's birthdays). Also, I have "forfitted" my test fee. I will have the pay the $82 again! Whatever Boston! If I wasn't a huge Yankee fan already I would have to be now! Oh well. June 10th everyone! What a great day it will be!

Alas...

Alright...so many are wondering How did the test go..she must of aced it with all of her Sam Houston History! Well...I did not end up taking the test. (gasp!)

I went to the testing sight, waited for 45 minutes, got into the classroom where I would be taking my test, looked down at the test..and it was the wrong one. I was registered to take the Billingual 4-8 test. As I have vowed never to teach someone who is taller than I am you all must see that this could never have worked out. I immediately went to the testing administrator and asked him to help me. He called the main office in Boston (as a Yankee lover, I knew at this point I was finished) and said that I would not be allowed to take the test today. I mean, I know all of you know that I never cry, especially when I am overstressed or emotional about something, but I have to tell you I started balling in this dude's office. Poor guy. He had no idea what to do with this emotional woman. So as it stands worse case senario, I will have to take the test in June and pay for it again. We are waiting for the word from the Bostonians.

I can joke about it now, but it really shook me up (if you need verification talk to my mom who had to calm down the incomprehesable non examinee). I was so upset because this is my dream and it was seemingly postponed. But in listening to some D. Webb I was really comforted by these words "love is no politician, no it listens carefully....I'll send out an army just to bring you back to Me.." I realized that God's good purpose is always in play. He has called me with a plan and He will see it to fruition...not me. I often try to do things in my own power...but I have the King of Kings in my corner and often forget about what He is truly able to do. For now, my test is postponed, but I will remain steadfast that He who began a great work in me will be faithful to complete it. Thank you for all of your prayers, I really don't know how I could have made it through the day without them!

Houston, Blue Bonnet and the Test

Alright the moment of truth has come. In a few minutes I will leave to find out if I am a highly qualified Texas educator. My studying has gone well minus the brief but devastating detour when I thought the state flower of Texas was the Blue Bell. (For those who aren't quite up on your TX trivia it is the Blue Bonnet...Blue Bell is a brand of ice cream, many of us Texans enjoy.)

Other interesting Texas facts:
* Sam Houston (Oh, Sammy) had three wives, the city of Houston named after him, was a advocate for Indians and was a through and through Texas Man. (For more information on Sam Houston, give me a call, I've got tons.) Also he has a 50 foot statue of himself outside of Houson. I know I am close to seeing my friends Jake and Erin when I see good ol' Sam!

* The Texas state animal is an Armadillo (one tradition of Texas which my mom and Doug have fully embrassed.)

*Finally, Texas was once a part of Mexico, gained its independence became a part of the Union (at the helm of good ol' Sam) and then succeeded to the confederacy (against Sam's wishes). Texas then became a part of the Union again...the moral of that story is that we should always listen to Sam.

Hopefully my newfound Texas State history skills will earn me at least an 80% on my test today. Well...keep up that praying...I really need it! I'll let you know how it went!

Summer Haircut

Check out the new do! With Daisy's career as a professional soil displacer, she had gotten quite matted with her cocker spaniel cut. She decided as she does not forsee any sabaticals in the dirt digging business to try a shorter haircut for the summer.

I will say it was completely traumatic for me to leave her at the groomers, I feel a little like a mom taking a reluctant kindergartner to school for the first time. She got the golden star of the day from the groomer though!

In other news, I have been busy preparing to take the TEXES. That is the state licensing exam for teachers in Texas. I will take the exam next weekend, so if you feel like supplicating...please ask the Lord that I will do decently on this test, especially the bilingual section. It has been fun studying for it, because for brief moments of everyday I get to dream about my future classroom.

Well, my couch is beckoning to me from my living room to come finish the last chapters of my book! As it is a very dangerous thing to deny a beckoning couch, I must sign off!

On Board

In the past several months I have kept up with my friends lives through their blogs. I have seen new family members added, aka my favorite fake nephew ever, Mr. Jaden, Battlecat one of the top 5 best dogs in Texas dare say the United States and sweet little Ms. Stella. I have also been able to know quickly when a friend was hurting and as well as times of amazing joy in their lives! So though it is just me and my crazy Daisy, we thought it about time to create a blog ourselves...I will be doing the typing as Daisy, though gifted in many ways, does not have opposable thumbs. So from the great state of Texas, confer with Jake and Erin if you have any doubts, here we go!